Most calibers can be grouped into categories for the various types of game. In North America, most of our game can be taken with all the medium calibers just fine. Elk, Moose, and the big bears can take quite a bit more punishment and it's a good idea to move up to the Magnums for them, but for just about everything else, you'd do good with a nice medium caliber.
I use a 30-06 for my deer hunting. The differenence between it and the other calibers is so insignificant as to be meaningless. Depending on the bullet and poweder charge you use, will change all the numbers around from one to the other. In the end, a few hundred feet one way or the other really doesn't matter.
Shot placement and bullet performace are all that count.
If you like the 30-06 and and can handle the recoil, then go for it. It's a proven caliber that you can find ammo for it all over. One time I forgot to pack my ammo for a trip to Nevada. I got there and no bullets. I know it's embarassing, but it happens. I went to the closest gas station from camp to find out where I cold get ammo and discovered they sold it there. Not a huge selection, but 30-06 was one they had.
Rifle brands and types can also get confusing. Mine is a Remington 700 BDL that is a pretty good rifle. I replaced the stock with a Hogue that I like. The triggers on them are nothing to brag about, but Cabela's sells Timney triggers that are real easy to replace with the original that are totally adjustable.
If I was looking for another rifle, I'd put the Browning A-Bolt at the top of my list, but still look at all the major brands. I'm not up on the latest updates, but a few years ago, Browning had some really nice features that I liked. There triggers were by far better than the other brands in my opinion.
After you decide what you want for a rifle, you'll have to consider what scope to put on it. This is a funny topic because of all the hunters I've met and come across, most seem to cut corners here.
The quality of your glass is far more important than anything else!!!!
If you can't see the animal, you can't kill it. Good glass isn't just about how clear it looks in the store, but how well it remains waterproof when you go from 60 degrees to minus ten in a few hours. It remains waterproof and fog proof when you spend a week in the woods in below freezing temps and constant moisture.
I usually avoid the gun magazines and what the writers have to say because they have to give good reveiws to everything they write about. If not, the company wont advertise with their magazine. So you always get happy stories about everything they test.
One thing that I did read that is useful is how to test a scope to make sure it's truly waterproof. First you fill up your sink with warm water. Warm makes a difference. Then you just dump it in the water and watch for bubbles.
This sounds pretty obvious, but the author said half the scopes and binoculars he tests will leak. HALF!!!! He didn't mention brands, but did say that he gets scopes from every manufacturer for him to test and none of them have passed this simple test.
My favorite scope is a Swarvoski, but it's a very high end European scope. I wouldn't recomend you spend that kind of money on a first rifle. If you go to Alaska or Africa, than it might be worth it to you, but for now, look at Leopold and Nikon. Other brands might be ok, but I wouldn't spend my money on them. I do have a Redfield, but it's failed on me when I was about to shoot a blacktail that I'd been chasing for weeks in California. It was a big 4x4 that should have gone Boone & Crocket, but when I pulled up my rifle for the shot, it was totally fogged. The weather was clear and cool at around 60 degrees.
Good luck,
Eddie
Now, for those of you who adore magnums, don't go getting your knickers in a wad. Just a little fun. ****Where did the smileys go???*****