Which Caliber: First Bigger Rifle

[Klint Beastwood]

Savage Axis HB Review: Sub MOA for sub $300? – rifleshooter.com
check out the Axis HB in .308
Not really my flavor of gun but I heard from a few people who were happy enough.
As far as preferred caliber, I didn't read through the comments but im confident someone will or has mentioned that should depend on your expectations of what you need a bullet to do externally and terminally. Hopefully making a list of pros and cons of cartridge selection helps narrow it down, however .308 is generally a fine cartridge for most shooting, and hunting in north America. In my opinion.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Axis is a 3-legged ninja in 30-06

 

[SamT1]

I’d go .308 no doubt.
Howa 1500 for a budget gun. Lots of choices to get one set up how you want. You can even get a scoped package, the scope is nothing to brag about, but it will get you started with something that works.