What's worked out as pretty much perfect for me is a 30-06 Rem 700 CDL, 24" barrel, no sights. Has an old 2-7x Redfield on it, though I actually prefer a fixed 6x Leupold.

Last fall, and then this past spring, that rifle gave me: elk, mule deer, pronghorn, black bear, wolf and grizzly.

Carried it a lot. Hunted hard. Didn't worry about the conditions. Like my other 700's have for 40+ years, it worked just fine. Very accurate and easy to carry. Reliable as all get out. I think that I should have used tougher scope mounts/rings, but I dropped it on a rock last year while hunting. Hit the rear scope ring. Zero didn't shift at all. Maybe these mounts are tough enough.

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I've got a near-twin to it, in 25-06 with a 6x Leupold that has been my favorite mule deer rifle for the past 12 years or so. It too is completely reliable, easy to carry, and very accurate from field positions.

Regards, Guy