There isn't a darn thing wrong with the .30-06 Springfield, never has been and never will be. With the right bullet (and there are lots to choose from) at reasonable ranges it'll anchor any cloven hooved animal walking on the North American continent if the shoot does his part, period. If the salesman doesn't understand that they he's not the guy to talk to about guns. I've found that there are two types of guys at gun counters. Those who know guns and want to do their best to fit the right gun to you and your application, and the ones who only know how to SELL guns and want you to buy what they think you must have. I've run into the same thing you have with gun counter guys who will try to convince you that anything short of a 7mm Mag is a mouse gun, I usually don't let them have much of my time. I've even gone far as to ask to speak to another saleman on a couple rare occations where the BS was too much to handle and I started to get annoyed.

I usually like to approach a salesman I don't know like I'm totally gun ignorant just to test his knowledge and integrity. If they pass the test I'll deal with them, if they don't I'll claim to be "just looking" to shoo him off.

I'd say go somewhere else and get your dad his .338 Win Mag from somebody who isn't only concerned with the bottom line.

Mike