Well, It's hard to beat a 30-06 for. Use the '06 for an ocasional elk and moose hunt too. If you plan to hunt elk alot, choose a .300 win mag or 7 rem mag. If deer is you main thing with the occasional hog or brown bear thrown in, the '06 is great. It is reliable, cheap and is the most available ammo out therre. If you go out to podunkville to you deer lease and youleave your ammo at home, you can usually find '06 at any small town sporting goods store or even some filling stations and pawn shops. It is about 30-40% cheaper than simialar magnums
And forget the Benelli. If you pop is gonna spend 1500 bucks on a rifle for you, get a savage 110 or winchester model 70, then spend the other 1000 bucks on a good scope.
good luck
okcmco