been looking at rifles can't make up my mine on cal. maker and so. but it's got to be big boom for deer and big game. plus i know you guys love ? like this. thanks Doug p.s under $2000.00

My first was a 30 06 1917 Enfield that cost 30.00 at the local Coast to Coast store. I was 16. I've been partial to the 30 06 the way I'm partial to my first girlfriend. Nice memory, but I'm glad I did marry her! That 1917 took my first few deer and more than a few fox with open sights. But I grew up and wanted something shiny so I traded that 1917 for a Winchester in 1965, the year the new model came out. Sorriest rilfe I ever owned. I also moved up to the 300 Winchester Mag. The calibur has been my mainstay, with three detours with a 270. The sorriest thing I ever did was invest in a 300 Win Kimber. Stay away from rifles like that. The stock slit on an elk hunting trip to Colorado. It took me through the seaon, but Kimber went broke and I couldn't get a replacement except to have a stock cutom made. I believ the stock split becasue of moisture in the wood and 30 degree below zero weather on opening day.

I'd stick with a Winchester or Remington. Be honest with yourself in what you can shoot well. When I moved up to the 300, I wanted a bit more poop than the 30 06 gave, but not the heavy recoil. That brought on reloading. I have used almost nothing but light loads and they have served me well without beating me to death. But in recent years, I've come to want even milder recoil. So I have another 270 model 70 rebarreled with a custom cut rifling barrel from Rocky Mountain barrel. Two weeks ago I purchased a 300 WSM. I haven't fired it yet. The 270 was a featherweight configuration and I had a heavier barrel intalled. I'm still working to make the stock fit by enlarging the barrel channel. The project would be done, but busted pluming and a variety of other such emergecies have preculded that outcome.

The only real advice I can give from experience I have gained, sometimes at great cost; i.e. the Kimber, is to stay with the common and avoid the exotic. The exotic is expensive, but bust it and it gets even more expensive.

Buy a caliber that you shoot well. Well placed bullets kill game, not velocity or recoil or a fancy stock and finish.

What calibers and rifle makes have you shot? The .30/06 really is a good caliber for 90% of all hunting.

Do you have any rifles and if so what are they?

The first thing to pick is the type of rifle that you like. As to cartridges the 30/06 is just right. If a cartridge will perform similar to the 30/06 then it's ok too.

FORGOT I HAD TWO RIFLE. H-S PRECISION IN 300 WEATHERBY MAG HEAVY TAC LOVE IT SHOOT GREAT IT #14LB TO HEAVY SOLD IT. FUN AT THE RANGE NOT TO CARRY. ALSO A 30-378 WEATHERBY SAKO IT WAS USED IT SHOT SO SO SOLD IT TOO. MY BROTHER PICK 300RUM REMINGTON MOUNTAIN RIFLE CUSTOM SHOP ARE THEY WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY OR GO WITH SEMI CUSTOM LIKE H-S OR OTHER MAKER. AS FAR AS CAL. LOOKING AT HEAVY HITTER 300,338,375 OR SOME THING LIKE THAT. AND SHOOT MOA AT 500, 600 YARDS.THANKS FOR THE INPUT DOUG

Go to this site http://www.dakotaarms.com/INVENTORY/inventory.htm. There is a 300 Win Mag for $1995 - this would be a semi custom, choice, grade A No. 1, high quality do anything go anywhere firearm. I wish I had the money.

Sounds like you need a 338 Win. or 300 Win...They will do anything any of the others will do...I personally love the old 300 H&H, mine is a pre 64 Win. and I load it to 300 Win balistics...the 338 Win is my all time favorite all around rifle or close to it...

I'm not much for the new 300 Ultras and such non-sense, they are mostly smoke and recoil and lots of noise...