I sold my 300 a few years ago...the recoil was brutal and not fun to shoot. I picked up a Tikka whitetail hunter in 7mag and really like it...still kicks but not as bad. They are both flat shooters and have 2000-2200 ft lbs of energy at 300 yards which is obviously a big dose of medicine for an elk. Slight edge to the 300.....not worth the pounding, however, you being a Marine probably won't notice the difference. Regards, Rick.