camelcluch

I will say, any of the big guys. Remington, Winchester, Browning, Tikka, or some others. I like the 300wm for the game you mentioned and if reloading, there is endless possibilites. Try to get good glass on top and that should round out a $1000 combo.

redneckhuntinfreak

I'd go with a sako, remington, browning and a 30-06 or a 300 mag both are a great gun i have both calibers in remington, 300 mag perfect for hardhittin downing power on big game and the 30-06 just as hardhittin downing power for big game i'm not afraid to take my 30-06 with my bushnell elite 3200 3-9 x 40 mm scope after any game animal in north america and the 300 mag i wouldnt be one bit afraid to take it after anything in the world but eithor or will be perfect

Californiadoctor

You can get a Weatherby rifle chambered in .300 WBY Magnum for about $500 if you buy a Weatherby Vanguard.

Caldoc

lead poisoner

If you like jap made rifle.

EKM

For a first time and "only for big game" rifle (ignoring deer as a material consideration)....
-- Easy Going: 30-06 or 7mmRemMag
-- More Aggressive: 300WinMag
-- Gutsy: 300 Weatherby, 300RUM, 338WinMag

My choice would be the 30-06. Though the 375 H&H (recommended earlier) is a favorite of mine, I'd be hard pressed to ever recommend it to someone as their first big game rifle.

Manufacturer: Go with the one you like and the one that fits you best per a pro who knows (No Remington 710's) and remember the more recoil the heavier the rifle needs to be (shy of a specialty item and that is not what is at play here.) I make no distinction between foreign or domestic manufacture of a firearm, Japanese Weatherbys or Slovakian CZ's or US Winchesters or Remingtons; get what you want and let the country of origin fall where it may.

younggun308

Slovakia? I thought CZ's were made in the CzechRepublic.
Maybe they just had they're plants there when it was still Czechoslovakia.

EKM

The box my CZ 550 Safari (416 Rigby) came insays Czech Republic.
Must be my cold war upbringing.
Definitely does notread "made in USA" per the point being addressed above.

My recommendations remain identical.

ShatoDavis

Ruger M77 II in 338 win mag.

338 win mag is the hitting, very accurate, acceptable recoil, and plenty gun to take anything in North america. Its my pick when elk hunting.

Ruger M77 II stanless for control round feeding and absolute reliability.

Just my thoughts.

BareBack Jack

As much as I love the .338 win Mag,I have to recomend another.
You have already stated that the .300 WBY dosn't bother you in recoil,you already have the glass for it(good choice by the way).You have mentioned bears in the future,you plan to reload.To me this screams BUY THE .300 Rem Ultra Mag.
The handloader can do some amazing things with the .300 RUM.It's a great flat open game round,it's a devestating elk rifle,and it will handle the biggest of bears.
Look to the Barnes triple-shok 165's or 180's or Nosler Part 180's,buy your self a case of Retumbo and get to loading.
As towhat rifle,look to find a Browning A-bolt,Rem 700 CDL or a Sako.
Good luck,and if all else fails,buy the .338 Win Mag.
BBJ
BBJ

SWIOWADEERHUNTER

Thanks for all the responses. I am looking at getting the gun this summer so i still have some time to decide on what to get. Although it is still going to be tough due to all the great sugestions. Maybe i can talk the wife into getting more than one