Hard to find a poorly-made bolt-action.
Bunches of plenty-good out there.
I'd be stocking up on ammo and components when there isn't any panic. That way, when any panic hits, I don't have to care.
From a practical standpoint as to cartridge in an "any critter" size, a .308 or '06 would work as well as any other. Dunno as how I'd go picking on Mr. Griz with one, but if I'm sitting on a hillside and he didn't know I was there, I figure I could give him one last migraine. Otherwise, a .308 works just fine for Bambi, elk and meese.