I appreciate all the replies so far.
(James B) Were I starting over, I would stay with my 30-06 and invest the extra money in optics and a range finder and some of the other stuff
I have a remington 30.06 ADL and just put the new leupold VXIII on it. The new scope is awesome and in my opinion worth every penny. I actually have more money in the scope than I do the gun. I figured the remington ADL could outshoot my personal capabilities so I couldn't see going crazy on the gun and for my budget, went a little more on the scope.
(Danny45) If I liked a particular caliber like the -06, and just wanted another rifle, I'd be more inclined to buy a Browning BLR or BAR, or a Remington semi-auto or pump action, in that same caliber and leave it with open sights and use it for when hunting in brushy terrain where close fast shots are likely saving the scoped rifle for longer, open range type shots.
I own a Remington 7400 semi-automatic outfitted with a Leupold M8 fixed 4power scope. This gun is my favorite Maine hunting gun and it's extremely accurate for an automatic. With a handload a friend of mine worked up for the auto's, the first day down the range the gun was able to shoot 3-3 shot groups at 50yards all touching an inch high of the bull. I know a lot of people don't like the semi-auto guns but for a close range gun I don't think that one can be beat. My shotgun which gets used every day of the 2 week deer season here in Massachusetts is a Remington 12ga 11-87 Special purpose Deer gun with a cantilevered scope mount equipped with a leupold M8 fixed 2.5 power heavy duplex scope. This gun is very impressive shooting 1oz barnes expander slugs 5 shot touching groups at 50yds and
2 1/2" groups at 100. My problem has always been shooting open sites, I'm not that good at it. And therefore every gun I own has a leupold scope on it including my muzzleloaders.
Quite possibly after reading this post I may go with the .338 Thanks again for all the replies and good shooting and hunting to all.............John