after hearing what you all had to say about the "best short action" im gonna get the 308 WIN. But would it realy be big enuff for the biggest deer in the woods ie moose and elk. without any bull$h!T, realy? i dont shoot anything over 300 yards anyway, its not worth risking it. too much can go wrong at that long range, so i wont do it. what round, factory or handloaded should i use for deer that get to be 300lbs live weigh aroud here? one last thing, what would a guide/ outfitter say if i showed up with a 308 to hunt elk, good to go or not with that pop gun? if there are any guides/ outfiters out there i would really like to hear it from there point on that side of it. thanks for every comment that comes in, BRIZBO/iowa