I agree with hawkeye the bolt action is the way to go if it is legal to hunt with where you plan on hunting. Tikka T3, Ruger Hawkeye, Remington SPS,or a Savage 111 are the best deals in that price range with the Savage 111 package deal being the best deal overall. However, if you can I would get either the Tikka T3 or the Ruger Hawkeye over the Savage but that is only my personal preferences. There are an overwhelming group of Savage fans on here and perhaps rightfully so because of their inherent accuracy at an extremely affordable price. I however do not feel that their durability is up to par with say the Ruger or the Tikka but I am going to be in trouble now that I said that, LOL.

For caliber I would go with either a 30.06 or a 7mm Rem Mag.