Why not give some thought to the .300 WSM. I have a M. 70 synthetic stainless in .300 WSM with a 2.5 to 8 VX111 and really like this rifle for weight, balance, accuracy, recoil and I know it works great on moose with the 180gr. partition gold bullet. I have a M. 70 in 30.06 and a Ruger Express 77 M2 in .300 win mag and like them all but prefer the .300 WSM. IMHO. gg.