Strictly for big game? I'd go for the .338 Win Mag. Flat shooting, hard hitting, & thebest ammo availability.

Recoil DOES bother me, however, soI wouldget it in the heaviest rifle I could manage in the woods, with a good Sims for Pachmeyer pad. I've heard nothing but good things about the Browning BAR Safari, andits semi-auto actionmight attenuate the felt recoil a little bit.

Most of all, though, I'm jealous as hell! You get to go buy a new rifle!

When I was gearing up, like you, for my 1st elk hunt this year, I determined that I had no desire right now to go for anything bigger, so I went with a .30-06. I'm really happy with my rifle, but dadgummit, I don't have any reason to buy another one! I may have to foster the desire to hunt bears some day, so as to be able to go buy another gun!

Good Luck,

FC