First find out what is legal in your hunting areas including any states that you may be hunting that are not your own. Next determine how far you think you mayneed to shoot. If over 150 yards better look for a fast twist rifle that will shoot sabots with aerodynamic bullets (one twist in 28 inches is the norm). If only hunting deer or smaller the need for big heavy bullets is pretty much not there so no need for conical shooters (most T/C rifles do not shoot conicals well - there are some exceptions but many do not). The T/C rifles arenear the top for sabot/bullet handling, Knights are also very good. The imports like CVA usually shoot well and it may come down to what in your price range is legal and feels the best to you when shouldered. If scopes are legal then a rifle with a stock made for scopes would be better than one set up for iron sights. As far as scopes I use Burris Fullfield II but lots of people claim you should buy the most expensive scope you can afford (I have not gotten to that level yet). Many of the stocked rifles tend to be sensitive to stock to barrel fit or contact. My Omega is one of those. I find the break action rifles and older sidehammer guns tend to be less sensitive. If I wanted a relatively no frills rifle and did not want to spend a lot of time determining what to shoot I think I would possibly go with a Knight KRB as they seem to be relatively insensitive to stock fit and will handle almost anything out there other than the New Blackhorn 209 powder. The synthetic stock KRB7 (stainless) that I got for just over $300 shipped is pretty much a scope rifle as the stock is quite high at the comb and iron sights are difficult to get down far enough to use comfortably. As already stated there are way too many possibilities for anyone to determine what is the best rifle for you. As far as bullets and powder probably Shockwaves and maybe Tripple Seven if it will shoot in the rifle you pick. My Omega does not like Tripple Seven (very bad crud ring). There are a lot of ascorbic acid powders, American Pioneer, Shockeys Gold (same as Amer. Pioneer), Goex Pinnacle, Black Mag'3 (this one I have had great luck with but it is difficult to find).Pyrodex is messy and corrosive but it is a very reliable powder and as long as you clean well after firing it can do a very good job. Some of my best groups have been with Pyrodex in my Omega. Again a lot of this depends on you and what you expect the combination to do.