RE: Help choosing a hunting rifle
What seattle said! I have taken two elk with my 270 (the mossberg 100 ATR) which between the rifle the scope the sling and two boxes of ammo cost me right at $500 and it is a proven game taker. Elk, mule deer, and bear! One of my mule deer was a 300+ yard shot and tea kettled him where he stood. Elk last season 08 was a 295 yard shot one shot dropped him. My hunting companion was hunting with a 270 he borrowed from a friend and his was a 235 yard shot one shot; same rifle the owner of said rifle took a 6x7 bull 465 yard shot shot him four times (3 too many as the first was a kill shot) so the 270 is adaquit for elk. Many disagree but I have and so have many many people taken elk with this caliber. No the 7mm is not to big for an elk or a deer just have to shoot lighter or heavier bullets for the intended game.