A 30-06 loaded with the proper ammo will do the job on any animal on this continent if you put it where it needs to go. I'd look at the line of Winchester rifles and top one with one of the Leupold scopes. Even the more economical ones the latter makes will serve you well IMHO.

Black bears? Or the other, meaner, tougher, grumpier bears? Black bears you can use .270 on up without issue.......
-Jake

"Stopping power" is a bit of a myth. The ONLY way to truly "stop" a big game animal is with a shot to the brain or spine. And just about any cartridge from .223 and up is capable of that. What you want is a cartridge/bullet combo that will effectively penetrate heavy hide, muscle, and bone and do damage internally to the vital areas that are a much larger target area than a head or neck shot. The only advantage magnum cartridges have over non mag is range. They can push a bigger bullet faster. Take the 300 win mag and the .30-06 for instance. Out to 400 yards, the .30-06 is going to kill a Moose just as easily and just as dead. Past 400 is where the more powerful .300wm is going to shine in difference. And I can tell you from many years experience, Moose aren't in country where you will be presented with many, if any, shots over 400 yards. If you or your guide is any good at all, you wont need to shoot past 100 yards to be honest. Bull Moose are pretty much the dumbest of all the deer species and most arrogant. Their sheer size makes them far less wary than anything else. So they are actually quite easy to get in on.

Now, if you are talking Brown Bear, that's a whole other hunt. You can be presented with shots out to 500 or crap your pants close. If intentionally hunting them, I'd opt for the .300wm or even go for the .338wm. I've been up close and personal with Brown Bears charging me and dropped them with handguns. But I was one LUCKY fella as I have trained consistently and often with handguns all of my life and am a VERY good shot under pressure. My recommendations for Brown Bear hunting is shoot them with the biggest cartridge/bullet combo you can handle at the furthest range you are consistent with

As far as rifle brands, that is a personal choice. Your best bet would be to handle several different makes and models and find one that fits you well. Factory rifles in your price range are all about the same performance wise really. In your price range, my nod would go to one of the Savage models, this one actually in .30-06, http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/11FCNS , and top it off with some good glass such as Nikon, Leupold, Vortex and you will probably be coming in under your $1500 range.

You'll have trouble doing better than the .30-06. I killed the VT moose in my avatar with a 30/30.

You can get a Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 (which has a really nice trigger now and a great synthetic stock) in many calibers including 30-06 and 300WM for $495 USD. Shipping is a flat $5.99 in the states. Not sure about Canada? That would leave a good chunk of your budget for optics. This rifle is guarenteed sub MOA at 100 yards.

We bought both our Vanguards ('06 and 300) at www.grabagun.com out of Texas. Great company to deal with.

Good luck . . . Rob

Lmao Super Hunt54!

LOL,,,Well Rob, it's the dang truth!!! I've hunted every deer species on this continent. And Bull Moose in rut is absolutely, without a single doubt in my mind, 100% retarded! About the only mammal I've seen on this continent any dumber is cattle! Just plain ole stupid! The Cows on the other hand, like pretty much every female of every species including ours, are FAR brighter! You get archery close on a Cow Moose and you have accomplished something.

I like hunting the dumb ones. It gives me a sporting chance

Sounds like I need to switch from whitetails and start hunting the moose rut.... trying to get onto these ohio and PA whitetail bucks have given me a headache this season lol
-Jake