starhunter21

Does the $500 include optics or are you going to spend more for the glass? One thing I do recommend is before you make your purchase, shoulder as many as you can in your price range. Find the one that fits you best ( or two ) then come back and ask about those particular brands. I am not one to try and convince you to spend more money, its tough to come by, but a tikka T3 lite you can get for about $550. Caliber, I like the .270 for all the reasons posted, but also look at the .308. It’s a shorter round meaning you can get a smaller/lighter rifle if that matters. My choice would be a WSM, but they are a bit more expensive, especially the bullets.

Jeff Ovington

I have a 3006 recommend this cal to anybody..
Perfect for bear deer elk moose sheep goat..
I was wondering if that included the scope as well.........
At a $500 dollar budget I strongly suggest looking at the Weatherby Vanguards or Howa 1500's..They may not have the accutrigger like the Savages, but this gun groups well,will fire in theee most coldest of temps that you can handle being out in..
Where I've witnessed REMS and SAVAGES fail, this brand of gunperforms in temps as cold as 50 below ....
My cousin has one in a 300 win mag,and this gun has never suffered a misfire, in any sub zero temp I seen him shoot in..

matters

a 30-06 is as good as it gets.

8mm/06

I you do not already own any other long gun in a centerfire load, then the 30/06 is about the best choice you can make. Aavailability of models and makers and accessories, ammo loadings off the shelf, and the range of versatility of the round itself makes it an easy choice.
There might be a better cartridge for deer, or bear, or moose, or elk, or coyote ..... but given your stated choices and the fact that you don't own another rifle at this time (other than your .22) I think the 30/06 is your best choice.
Later you can grab a smaller and bigger caliber to round out you locker .....
A .243 and 338 Win Mag would be excellent 2nd and 3rd choices after you put a 30/06 in the locker. Or 6.5 X 55 and a 375 H&H, or a 22-250 and a 416 Rigby, or a .223 and a 9.3 X 62, or a 257 Roberts and a ?????.....see what happens.... You're in for a journey now!

gunnermhr

If your a young hunter I recomend staying away from any gun with moderate to heavy recoil. To hunt whitetails start out with something like a .243, 7mm-08, .260 or anything in that line. Any of those have more than enough killing power for a whitetail. They are not nessasarily the best gun for a bear but terrific for a young hunter looking to be accurate and comfortable. Get comfortable then either trade in your gun on something like a 30-06 or 270 or a short mag for more knockdown power. Or simply add to the collection. Thats my choice.

Bocajnala

Go with the .30-06. For just starting out, the options you have is best. Over the counter bullets in almost any load you want, heavy or light. Add guns later. but the good old '06 will more then satisfy

Briman

That's what I'd reccomend as well.

Swampdog

What EKM said +1

cjwink

308.

vaughnm

308 unless you think you'll go after moose or elk later and use the same rifle and then go with7mm rem mag.