Well I' m going to get alot of flack for this but if it was my tag I would go with the 30-30 with 170gn. loads.I have hunted and havested elk with a 30-30 and have no regrets about using one again.I belive there are better tools to kill and elk so I choose a larger rifle.If this tag is so hard to get Coach I would trade both the rifle and the shot gun in for a new rifle.The 30-30 was one of the first smokless rounds it has killed griz,elk and deer for along time so don' t dout it' s performance.Keep the shots under 150 yds and right behind the front shoulder.By the way are you hunting in the UP.BBJ