ElkampMaster, yes that is a bit young for such a big boot, but then again I am a big guy 6'3" and my weight is around 250, well being honest I'am about 260-265 and would like to trim down a bit to about 240[8D]. I have about the same attitude when it comes to archery equipment I like a heavy arrow with a well built sharp broadhead and a 70 to 75 pound bow. I don't like shooting over 40 yards and perfer under 20. When it comes to rifles I like a fast, but heavy andhard hitting wellconstructed bullet for elk. I don't feel that the .270 fits those reqirments. I agree that it can be made to work, but why limit yourself when there are better choices. I guess if you want tochallenge yourslefthen go ahead and pick up a bow and hunt them in the rut when they are screaming, nothing gets a heart beating faster that a bugle of a bull up close. But if a person's heart is set on shooting a .270 then go with the best bullets that you can afford, and I would also use the 140 grain or better yet the150 grainers and keep the shots within reason for that caliber. Anyway back on subject I don't remember what I weighed when I was 16 but I was still big then. The football coach wanted me to play DE so bad, but I just couldn't give up my saturdays or a game or two and miss out on elk hunting! I have only missed a elk season because I was serving a mission for my church. But then again in my 18 seasons of hunting elk I have been lucky enough to hunt the entire month of september (archery season) twice so far. And I average nothing less than 2 full weeks per year. If you added up the days I also go out to help friends and family fill thier elk tags, I bet I could say I spend at least 30 to 40 days in the woods chasing elk with different weapons per year. That all equals experience and knowledge that can't be placed on a chart, and argued about, either you have it oryou don't.For the record, I am not saying I'm an expert, and being honest I feel that few if anyare experts. I am friends with many call manufactures and their pro staffs and other experts so labeled by the hunting community.They are great guys and they doknow a lot but if you get them one and one and their being honest, even they will say they don't know it all when it comes to elk and elk hunting.Ithink it doesn't matterwho you are or how much experience you have, if you are humble, honest, hard working, open minded and willing to learn. I promise you that you will learn something each and every year from the elk themselves. They after all are the "experts" on elk and they are the perfect teachers. I do feel that a lot can be leaned from reading books, magizines and posts on this and other hunting sites. Also going to seminarsgiven by human expertsis an excellent way to learn too, butall togetherit'snothing compared to being there first hand and learning from the elk themselves. So I understandyou ELKampMaster, when you say I want your opinion on a actual hunting/killing expreience and not some made up chart that says my weapon will kill an elk just fine. I hope they get my point and understand where I am trying to come from. Jason