Remington 700 in 7mm Rem. Mag. or 300 Win. Mag. topped with a Leupold 4.5 x 14.

I agree!!!!!!! but its not really the caliber or cartridge its your shot placement, you could hit an elk with a 338rulm and if you hit it in the wrong place he will run and your buddy can hit an elk with a 7mag and if he hits it in the heart or liver he could drop that elk where it stands!!!!! but any caliber would be good as long as its a 270 and up so good luck on chosing a rifle

I have a 30-06 that i am using for deer and elk size game, but if i went bigger i would be in the market for a new gun as well. I Dont know if anyone has said it yet, but the 325 WSM has amazing ballistics and will keep a flatter trajectory and more ft/lbs of energy than many cartriges larger than it. If he doesnt like the new WSM series then i would say move to the 300 Win Mag. A lot of punch and high velocities for a .30 caliber cartrige. I still think the new 325 WSM is going to be the big game cartrige that most move to because of the ballistics and relatively cheap and light guns that winchester and browning are making for them.
just my 2 cents

I just went through this delima I am in the east and am planning on a trip out west. I chose the 300 Remington Ultra Mag (180 Grain) sight it in at 250 you will be -3.1" low at 300 and 1.8" hi at 200 comparing energy and velocity the other 300's and the 7MM mag don't compare. I also didn't go with a 338 or bigger because I can use it back here in the east. Pennsylvania has some pretty big deer so you could use it at home as well. You can check ballistics at:

http://www.remington.com/ammo/ballistics/ballistics.htm

I agree with KansasHunter the new .325 WSM looks like a good choice. I've been thinking about getting one myself. I really don't need one but I don't really need half the guns I have. If you wanted to go a little larger the .338 or .340 Weatherby would be a good choice.

If you can find one take a look at the .264 mag great round.

I would be partial,in his case to go to a 340 Wby or 338 Win. vangunsmith

Before they are no longer being made get a model 7 in stainless steel, the magnum version..300 SAUM..an awesome gun..I agree with J ZUMBO..this may very well be the best big game rifel ever built !! Light-weight, accurate and easy to handle....what else could you ask for..MODEL 7 in 300 SAUm, pick up lots of brass, I don't think it's going to be around for long..don't quite get it...great gun !!

It depends on wether he is planning on keeping the 06 for his deer hunting. If he is wanting to sell the 06 and be a one gun man then I would recommend a .300 mag or .300 WSM. If he is keeping the 06 then I would jump up to a .338 mag and then he is set for anything he can afford to hunt in North America.

Like has been said if the big bears on on the agenda you have to start looking hard at bullet weight. Many consider the 338 the minimum for the big bears. Factory loads only, I'd say move up in bullet weight and construction and stay with the 06. For an alternative the 338 is pretty much standard, I moved up to the 35 Whelen, the 350 Remington is being made again as well.