When I am bulking, I take in around 4,500 calories. I also, do carb backloading and stick to a six hour eating regiment. I work out in the morning, so I do a large PWO shake that has fast carbs, but then dont eat anything else until about 6 in the evening. At night, I eat whatever I want, which is normally a couple pound ribeye, ice cream, granola, maybe some candy. i have been doing this for around a year, but only recently upped the calories to bulk up. The main reason i like doing this, is the weight you gain is all muscle. i have a slow metabolism, so when i use to eat enoug to bulk up, i would always pile on some fat. Eating this way has allowed me to put on 20 lbs of muscle, without any change in my body fat. I have yet to see just how much weight i can put on following this way of eating, but it is working so far. i find I have more energy through the day, when i only pile in the food at night. eating large meals all day long always made me feel sluggish, now I feel great. Disclaimer to anybody else that may read this, I am not recommending this as healthy or working for the majority. I am simply stating it works for my body. Figure out what works best for your own.