I've already thrown in my cents on the 270 however I read where someone said that the 7mm mag isn't much better. This info is all on the Federal ammo website so you can check it out. Compare a 150gr partition bullet for a 270 to a 160gr partition bullet for a 7mm mag. If you use 1800 ft-lbs as a rule to take elk then the 270's range is 250 maybe 275yds for elk. The 7mm mag has 1800 ft-lbs out to 400yds. This means you have 150 more yds of range and thats a pretty big difference and you are using a heavier bullet while doing it. The 7mm may not be the best but it is a lot better than the 270. I think your friend will be very happy with the 7mm mag. I like it because it will kill elk out as far as you want and you can shoot deer with it without making him hamburger right on the spot.