Hey Jason,
You can't go wrong with the good ol' 30-06,it is up to the task and a good all around gun.

You like the short action and for this I would also recomened the 300 WSM,I have owned two of them and they shoot great and are a dream to carry.I shot 1 bull elk,1 mule deer buck,1 whitetail doe,1 antelope buck,2 antelope does and 2 grouse last year with mine and the only animal that required a 2nd shot was the elk(First would have done it but he was still running).All the animals thet were shot had complet pass through and major damage to vitals.I shot them all with winchester 180gr Power Point round.
Good luck choosing a gun.
BBJ