RE: Good Elk/Moose Gun
Felt recoil can be tamed by a well fitted stock, among other things. And then shooting posture and technique is also key. Without those 2 basic things you can end up shooting uncomfortably with even moderate kicking loads.
A 30/06 in a well fitted 9.5 lb rifle with a good recoil pad should be not only ample gun (with the right bullet and load) but should also be pretty darn comfortable with proper technique and practice.
Or, how about a 6.5 X 55 with the Oryx bullet? That cartridge/bullet load may well be the ticket for the bump shy crowd.