Going down in caliber - suggestions?

[Hunt]

I have the Tikka T3 lite in 7mm-08 and with a 120gr bullet it is soooo easy on the shoulder without a shoulder pad. If I had it to do over again I would go with a 6.5 either the swiss or the .280. With modern bullets and powders I see no reason for the big calibers except for dangerous grizzly bears or extreme long range hunting. Normal hunting a 110gr to 140 gr bullet will do it all.

[Sky_DiveR]

I think if you put on a Limbsaver it'll make all the difference in the world. If you're stuck on looking for another rifle (and who isn't?), you can't lose with any of the 308 family of cartridges. Throw a Limbsaver on one of those and you almost won't even notice when they go off.

I don't hunt like I used to but my rec would be a 7mm-08 in a Tikka T3 Lite.

[Danodog]

6.5 Swede will make you never look back.

[WHITE MAMBA]

You could also just get a new barrel and rechamber it in 6-06 or 6.5-06