if cost is a big point , i don' t think you' de want a .340 weatherby , as they aren' t cheap rifles and the ammo is kind of pricey too , as i don' t know of anybody else who loads for the .340 other than weatherby but , i' m not really up on the ammo makers , as for cartridges , any of the .300 will fit the bill , if it' s fast pointing you want , then a short magnum in a compact rifle is what you' de want , and the remington model seven is available in the .300 saum caliber , winchester makes short mags in thier model 70 but not in the compact ,
as for calibers , why is .34 caliber the biggest you want to get ??
the .35 caliber is one of the best meat getters you can get , the model 673 available in the .350 mag is very capable for big game and is in a short compact rifle too , ( i just got one , i like them ) then there' s the .35 whelen , it' s not as short but it has plenty of whomp for big game , and you can find them used at places like www.gunsamerica.com , and while we' re on the subject , why do you have to have a bolt action ?? the .358 win. is available in the browning 81 blr once again and it is a fast handling carbine. it' s not bolt action but the .358 has also taken it' s fair share of elk allready , in fact , even the .308 winchester is capable of taking elk and it' s available in all of the bolt action carbines. there are so many capable cartridges out there that it' s hard to pick just one.

but if those cartridges you mentioned above are your absolutes and a quick handling rifle is what you want , then i' de have to pick the .300 saum in a model seven , or even in a model 673 ( it' s available in both rifles ) and they are both offered in all weather configurations ( blued / laminate , stainless / synthetic )