Ok, so we just got here, I am working on the final big of bullshit paperwork to own guns and I am getting excited about all the stuff I am going to buy.

Then I start thinking that I could easily have $4000-6000 in guns in Australia and I am leaving in 2014.

I don't really think that's the answer, I think that a Stevens 110 or whatever they are called today in 308, with a 2nd Shilen barrel in 6mm BR with a new laminate boyds stock and a new Bell and Carlson stock for the 6mm BR would serve me and be a total of $1000 for the whole 3 years I am in Oz.

Remember I can get all the non-gun parts from the States.

Great to hear it's all coming together for you, D99.
IIRC, you are based in Canberra. You may find that among the game animals up that way you might have access to hunting sambar deer; if so, maybe something heavier than a .308 could make sense. The .308 would be fine if you can find a place to put a blind near a busy deer trail but for still hunting something like a .30/06 with heavy bullets is widely considered the place to start. Many of us use calibres like .338, .35 Whelen and 9.3x62, and it pays off if you have to take a running shot, which often happens.

Cheers
- Paul