RE: .270 & ELK
If you do not want a lot of recoil I would ask if your old 06 was too much recoil. If it was not too much then I would pick the 06 or something bigger. I would feel comfortable using a 270 certainly to 300 yards especially at the higher altitudes many elk are taken. You will be surprised at the difference in downrage energy between 1,000 feet and 9,000 feet altitude.
I really feel however you have a greatflat shootingdeer rifle already in your 243. I would go with a rifle that gives you a dedicated "big game rifle" to hit big game harder. A 30-06 with the Light Magnum loads isreliable 400 yard elk rifle, beyond that you are into heavier recoiling magnums.