Okay, still researching. Talked to my brother again tonight and he brought up the .300 Win Magnum. Just as flat shooting as the 7mm Rem Mag but better punch for Elk and big Mulies but without the bullet fragmentation of the 7mm Rem Mag. Looking at the recoil table that jumps up to a 25 vs. a 20 for the 7mm Rem Mag with a 150gr bullet or a .30-06 with a 180gr bullet. Am I getting out of the comfortable range here?

Should I just get an easy shooter like the .270 win and plan on buying a second rifle if I hunt elk? This is tough, I should have just gone out and made an impulse buy!