Amen on the '06, it is a very versitile round. There is a wide opinion that the '06 is obsolete, but most other non magnum rounds are based off of it.
Actually the over the counter bullets in 30-06 go from 55gr to 220 so a good quality rifle with good scope can take anything from ground hogs to elk. A rifle in 30-06 would be a life-long gift that could never be outgrown. 30-06 is about the most widely available ammo I've ever seen(available at atwoods and even some convienence stores)