Congrats on the PAL!

I don't know what your primary use for this rifle will be, or whether or not you will be able to buy more than one, but if you are looking for an all arounder that you can count on ALWAYS I would highly suggest trying to find a nice Model 70 Winchester. When I say Model 70 I mean control round feed Model 70, and not one of the push feed model 70 that they made for a few years. Not that there is anything wrong with the push feeds, but if you are going to buy a Model 70 you might as well get the "Real Deal". The original Model 70s are called pre 64's, and they will be a little on the $$$$$ side, but you should be able to find a newer Model 70 Classic which is the re-release of the CRF action Model 70 that won't break the bank.

As for caliber choice, well, here's where everybody will give you their opinion and their's will always be the best...LOL! If you are looking for "One-Rifle" do-it-all set up I would suggest one of the .300 mags. My personal fav is the .300 Win Mag simply because ammo is easy to find if you don't reload, and recoil is mild for a belted magnum. In the non magnum class the 30.06 is always a classic stand by as is the .270Win. A couple of my personal favs are the .280Rem and the .308Win.

If you decide to go the lever action route I would suggest looking at the Marlin 1895 series rifles chambered in 45-70. They can be had in anything from 18.5-22" barrels and a few different configurations. I have a couple of them that I hog hunt with and they are they slickest, fastest handling little rifles you can imagine. That carry great in a saddle scabbard and when chambered in 45-70 you will never be under gunned.