Re: Savage
While I definitely like the .260, I think it's nearly impossible to top the versatility of the .30-'06, and having a long action would essentially clinch the choice for me. I'd stick with a SAAMI spec chamber, 1:10" twist, and compromise with a 24" or 26" barrel length. Unless I was going to go hunting mostly in the steep part of the mountains, I'd go with a Light Varmint contour.
The beauty of the .30-'06 is the vast selection of commercial loadings available; and the way it can be handloaded to produce performance ranging from managed recoil light loads to match loads that dupicate some of the lesser .300WM loads. From marmot to black bear, it's a definite game getter; and is far from being spent when it reaches out to 1Kyd.
If you really want to stretch the long end of the .30-'06 case capacity's performance spectrum, the newer 7mm match projectiles make the .280 Rem especially intriguing. On the other hand, when slinging a large slug is optimal, the .35 Whelen stands out. With three barrels configured for switching, you can have all these cakes and eat 'em too. Everything else works essentially interchangeably.
Greg