I am not a rifle expert. I do have rifles in several calibers, 30-30, 7X57, 303, 6.5X55 and the 30-06. If I could have only one I would keep the 30-06, as has been said it will kill most anything a rifle is needed for in the US. I have a Leupold 3X9X40 on it and a detachable limbsaver when not shooting at game. If recoil is a problem, a good recoil pad like the limbsaver makes a world of difference.