I own a .300 Win Mag, and it is my primary Elk gun. Recoil isn't much stiffer than an '06, and it is easy to shoot well. I prefer the 165 or 180gr Winchester Fail Safe loads. Elk are BIG and TOUGH! The Fail Safe will out penetrate virtually any other bullet out there, and penetration is critical on Elk. The Fail Safe will smash through heavy bone and tissue and still retain almost 100% of it's original weight. I know this is not what your main question, but I think that too many hunters think just because they are shooting a caliber suitable for Elk, that bullet choice is of little importance...NOT TRUE!! Every animal I have shot with the Fail Safe's including Elk have been clean one shot kills. Where are you going to be hunting?