Have you thought about looking on the used market? The 30-06 is so common that there are literally tons of them in gun & pawn shops around the country. I've seen some really good deals at gun shows also. Often you can buy a used gun in very good condition with a good scope on it for just a little over what the same gun new costs without a good scope.

If you are set on the Savage they are good rifles. I would however go to a local shop and handle a Remington, Ruger, Winchester, & any others they have in 30-06 and buy the one that feels the best in your hands.

One great thing about the 30-06 is that there is now low recoil ammo available for this round. Since this is your first rifle I would buy at least a couple boxes of this ammo to do your initial shooting with. This will ease you into the recoil of the rifle. After the first 2 boxes if everything is going well then move onto conventional factory loads. The 30-06 is a great round and will handle all of the game you listed in your initial post with proper bullet selection and placement. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!