RE: Long Range Question
Gotcha. I have a "beater" .30-06 too, a 1903A3 (Remington) Springfield - and it's still a shooter. Just can't see turning it into a scoped sporter.
So, dumb as it may sound, I've also a Remington M700 in .30-06 too. Next up from that is the .300 Wby Mag and then a big step up to the .375 H&H.
And really, though I love just as much as anyone here the chance to buy a new caliber, it just doesn't seem like I gained a whole lot with the .300 Wby. Anythingthe .300 can do, the .30-06 can do, especially regarding the game you mention (whitetail, mule deer, and elk). Have you thought about dropping DOWN in caliber? Maybe a 7mm Mag? .270?
You're still not going to gain much over the .30-06 with either of those. Were I you, I'd still give a newer .30-06 a good look.