I would stay with the "06 and 165 gr bullets,get your self a good recoil pad,if needed get a good gunsmith to cut the stock down for ya.

I see everyone says the 7mm-08 is a deerslayer,I have 2 and I have not notice this.Every deer I've seen shot with it,good boiler room shot has ran,a good distance.It could be I'm not using the right ammo or what,but I would not trust this gun for elk.

Stay with the 30-06.
BBJ