Dont listen to all the guys saying how great an elk cartridge the 270 is, it is not a great elk cartridge. It is barely ADEQUATE for elk, but is adequate. Colorado bob said he used an 06 for twenty years w/ no problems and I'm sure he did, but if he had used a 270 he would have ran into problems at some point. Especially considering the bullet choices offered twenty years ago. If your only going to hunt elk a few times, then get premium bullets and use your 270, if you plan on going often or for other larger than deer sized game go w/ a 7rem mag or 300win(or an 06). All are a significant step up on the power end and recoil is still not off the charts.