I avoided a .30-06 for the same reason. Everyone had one and I simply wanted something different. low and behold I picked up a Ruger 31 in that chambering. It was simply too good of a price to pass up. It'll likely get rechambered to .300 H&H but I can say I at least owned a .30-06. I'm guessing your new Ruger isn't the new hawkeye model. Not a big dealthey make great firearms. You'll enjoy it.