I would get a 30-06. For using in NC, you can get decent ammo for $15 a box, sometimes $10 a box on sale. You can handload the 30-06 pretty hot and Hornady light mags are really hot, they claim 3000 fps or such with 180 grain bullet. If that doesn' t kill an elk, you got problems. If you handload, you might try .300 win mag. You can load it down to 30-06 levels for around home. But it is still a waste when you don' t need it where you hunt (and you don' t need more than a 30-06 in NC) and the 30-06 is fine for out West unless you plan on shooting 500 yards or going after grizzly bears. And then the .300 win mag is a little iffy in those cases too.