I have to agree. Find the rifle that fits you best. I assume you plan on keeping it for a while so a few bucks more or less isn't the issue. As for the chambering, the '06 will do you just fine as would a bunch of other chamberings. I somehow get the impression from reading your post that you don't shoot that often. If I'm mistaken, I apoligize. You don't need a 7 mag or 325 WSM for deer. Nor the 270WSM (but this one is nice). I would shy away from the 'magnumitis' . It just isn't necessary. In a long action, the '06, 270, 280 will be fine. Should you decide on going with a short action, then the 7-08, 7x57, 257, and 308 would also be fine choices. And if you haven't shot an '06, you may want to start out with the reduced recoil loads until you get the feel of it.