A 308 is about as versatile as anything, and certainly all the gun you need, especially in the lower 48. Even here in northern Canada a 308 is preferred by a lot of hunters for everything including grizzly bears. In your position I would buy a Sako, in 308, but like Col Townsend Whelen said "a 30/06 is never the wrong choice," so that would be on my list as well....also in a Sako.
