RE: need a gun to " fill the gap"
You' ll get a ton of opinions and any of them would work. But my pick, and " current" personal favorite, would be a .308. It' s perfect for 150 grain bullets. I have one that sometimes carry with 110 grain bullets for varmints and 150 grain bullets for deer. I wouldn' t be afraid to use the right 180 grain bullet in it for moose or elk.