While not the perfect round for Elk, it will get the job done with the use of good bullets. Federal loads some good factory loads with Nosler Partition and Sierra as well as Speer Glandslams. I would use the 160 or 175 grain bullets for Elk and the 140 or even 120 for deer. The Savage is a real good choice. I have one on layaway right now in 7mm-08. I don't know what scope they are putting on thier package rifles but if need be you could replace it with a better scope later. My last Package rifle had a cheap Simmons scope which I used for three or four years then put that one on my 22 and put one of the better Bushnells on it. A trophy model as I remember.