RE: What rifle will cover ALL my needs???
i would say the 30-06sprg. just because i own two and they are great. good selection of ammo. ammo is cheap aswell. plus if you go by plane somewhere and they loose your ammo. almost any mom and pop store will carry it.
but my second choice would be maybe a 280rem or 270win depending if you are gonna hunt more deer than elk.
top her off with a nice leupold. ( your gun is as only good as the optic you put on it ) JMHO.....
maybe a 2-7X33mm would surfice..