I want to thank you all for your responses! I decided to go the middle road and bought the Ruger .270 today! I think I got a good deal too, I paid $375 for the rifle with an old 3x9 scope on her. The older gent I bought her from said he has taken 6 elk with her so I guess if I can't get one it is on me! LOL

I took her out to the range and she is a straight shooter. I sighted her at 2" high at 100 yards. That should mean I can hit anything from 100 to 300 w/o much adjustment if any right? Let's talk rounds for elk! I used 130 grains at the range today and I'm wondering if that will work in the field or if I need to beef it up. I've also been reading about something called partition rounds. My understanding is that the bullet casing is made of different metals so it kind of comes apart once it impacts, is that correct?

Even though my hunting season is over for this year I kinda feel like it isn't because I will go to the range to practice shooting and I'll be working out with images of deer and elk dancing in my head. I'll start researching sleds, that is a very good idea. I have no horses or 4 wheelers so it will just be good old sturdy me.

Again, thank you so very much for responding!

Laura