Mojotex

Another $.02.

I have very little experience hunting "big" critters. Just one elk in the bag. No bear hunting. No moose hunting. But I have hunted white tail, mule deer and feral hogs a bunch .... for 50+ years now. As many others have already stated, the fit and feel of the rifle are big drivers in what I suggest that you select. There are so many good factory grade rifles out there right now that you could hardly go wrong. My advise is try out as many as you can. My personal favorite is the Styer Pro Hunter.

As for scope ... buy the highest quality scope that you can afford. You will never regret having done so.

As for caliber .... 30 caliber is my choice. The 30.06 Spr. is certainly one of the best choices for an all around hunting cartridge out there. My personal preference is the 308 Win.

There is nothing wrong with being "limited' to factory loads. I would imagine that there are over 100 choices in 30.06 Spr. factory ammo available. The key is finding that one that groups best out of your rifle. If you decide on the 30.06 Spr., try a few factory choices that are loaded with a 180 gr. bullet. My experience is that most I have sighted in liked one or more factory load that incorporated a 180 gr. spitzer type bullet.

RaySendero

I do have the hunting experience and was in that same situation some years ago - bought my son a 308. He's grown now and buys his own rifles, but that 308 is still one of his favorites!

308 is my recommendation, too.

Big Uncle

Using factory rounds it makes good sense to hunt with a common non-magnum cartridge like the good old .30-06. It simply works. You can find many different loads from many different manufacturers including reduced recoil ammo.

As to the rifle/scope combo that is a bit more complicated. I would take a Howa 1500 before I would take the "budget" rifle from any manufacturer. There are several budget rifles on the market from most of the major manufacturers and I hear that they all work just fine, but they would not be my first choice. The 1500 is not a high dollar rifle but does have a good time-tested action.

Rifle/scope packages would not be my choice. You can find a good rifle, good rings & bases, and a usable scope for not much more than most packages. Often the scopes and rings on the packages leave something to be desired.

nys-buckstalker

I believe a .270 Winchester loaded with 150 grain bullets should about cover everything you have on your list of animals. A little less kick than a 30.06 and ammo is easy to find or hand load.

Sheridan

I've always found this to be fairly accurate;

http://elkhunter2.tripod.com/rifle.html

Savage_99

backcountryboy,

...Deleted by CalHunter...

Look at the Ruger and Savage products. For starting out I like the 243 as it's a superb all year around cartridge for varmints and then big game. The ammo is also easy to get and the recoil is not a problem.

I started handloading when I was 13 years old! So set up the gear you have there yourself with permission.

Oldtimr

The boy ask a question that has nothing to do with you or your predudices, we all have some, but your answer was more about you rather than helping him and you really should edit all but the end out of the post.

Topgun 3006

I don't know what was edited out of his post after you made yours, but that first sentence that is still there is about the most prejudiced and dumbest reason for not buying a particular product I've ever read!

Savage_99

...Deleted by CalHunter...

Oldtimr

There is something seriously wrong with you! My dad spent the entire war in the Pacific fighting Japanese, I won't go into what he went through and saw, be he certainly would have had more class than to answer a young boys request for suggestions with the ignorant statements you posted on this thread and both your posts should be deleted. In fact I kew a lot of veterans of the war in the Pacific and none of them would have ever spoken to a child like you just did. Pretty bold talk for someone who wasn't in the War, an after the fact tough guy! OP, ignore this guy!