Maybe get the rifle for yourself since you think that you will be able to handle it and let your buddy try it. No sense in him buying a rifle he cannot handle. If in doubt talk him into a 30.06, with so many different loads available for it, I am sure that he will find something that works for him and the gun is more than capable of handling Elk sized game. Then if he decides that he needs the Magnum overkill the 30.06 should have held its value well if well kept care of.