Cliff-My all time favorite is my .270.I use 140 grain Trophy Bonded in it and they are a keeper.I also have a .300 Win Mag but that was a darn good buy from someone needing money badly so my wife shoots the .270 and I the .300.

Seen alot of Elk killed with a .270.If you do your part and choose one of the well constructed bullets like the Trophy Bonded and Nosler(My favorites in the .270)you'll do just fine with it.Mild recoil and it will reach way out there if needed.

Good luck.........Jayco

Wow, I don't think I could have imagined receiving this much advice in my wildest dreams! I owe you all a big debt of gratitude - thank you very much. I have learned an awful lot from this thread. For instance, I didn't know that the new (to me) composite stocks reduced recoil. I thought they were all about ease of maintenance, strength, and the ability to not have to free float a barrel. I really hadn't given the .280 Rem much of a thought, but I know it's a humdinger. Someone else (KK?) also asked a very relevant question - just how much of an elk gun will this have to be? The truth is that elk would be he exception, although I will be trying for at least an annual hunt, if not for a bull, then a cow. The fact of the matter, though, is that most of my hunting would be for deer sized game.

Interestingly, I noticed some people saying the 7MM mag recoiled more than the 06', and some said it was the same. For the record, despite my comment about my dad's old 760 Gamemaster, I'm not that recoil sensitive. Back in June I had the pleasure of shooting a .375 H&H Ruger No. 1 and a .470 Nitro Express double rifle, which was a trip. Neither rifle broke my shoulder or sent me whimpering away, even though it's not something I'd want to shoot on a regular basis. I think the stock design on the really old 760 Gamemaster's are okay, but if the gun doesn't fit you they're punishing. Interestingly, my dad shot 1" groups at 100 yards regularly with this rifle, with a 4x Bausch & Lomb scope, which still sits on the rifle (W&E adjustments in the mount).

Anyway, as seductive as the new short magnums are I think I'll probably stick with the advice on either the 30-06 or the .270. Unfortunately for me, that Winchester Model 70 Featherweight with the Leupold scope sold on Friday. Those who snooze lose.....

Again, thank you all for your help.

Cliff
Seattle