I already have a good 30-06 and so I would not trade it for a 300 WSM. The 06 will do NA very well. That said if I were starting over and didn't want to own mulitable rifles, I would probably go with the 300 WSM in the Super Shadow or Browning A-Bolt. This would give you a little more range without getting in to the big kickers. Get a good recoil shield to wear at the range to take the pain out of the recoil. In the field it won't bother you anyway. I have gotten to the point that I have so many different rifles that reloading has gone from a fun hobby to just plain old hard work. I love having and trying the different calibers but am getting weary with trying to keep up with comontents for all of them let alone trying to work up the best load for each. I have been an avid hunter, combat shooter, Silhouette shooter and varmit rifle nut for 50 years and a reloader for all the different sports for 30 years. I am sort of getting burned out. Anymore give me a 223 a 300 WSM and a 45-70 and I will hunt anything that moves. But as for now I am pretty well equipet with my 7600 30-06 Pump for 90 percent of hunting in North America. I have reloaded for the last three nights now and have three calibers done and ready for Fall I have about four to go yet.[&o]