Definitely make it a .308. Reasons being:
1. .30 cal is the most popular caliber in the US and as such there will always be plentiful supplies of freedom seeds to load up.
2. The .308 is efficient, and relatively kind on barrels. Look after it and you’ll never shoot it out.
3. With soft heavyweight projectiles (168 ELD-M) you can take any animal that walks the country. Wild cattle might be a push though..
4. The bore is big enough that you can clean the barrel without a bore guide. Sounds ridiculous, but it’s actually handy that you can clean in the field without fear of a multi piece cleaning rod ruining the throat of the barrel.
I’ve got a Model 7 .308, and it’s the best rifle I’ve ever owned (been a few of them). I’d happily hunt and animal in any environment in this country with it. To be fair, I think it would serve me well hunting anything apart from dangerous game in Africa and the big bears of North America.
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