The 7mm-08 is a very efficient cartridge and it produces good velocity for the amount of powder burned.I have taken moose with the 7mm-08 and it works well if you use a premium bullet and keep the ranges down to 250 yards or so.Many manufacturers chamber this round in a variety of rifles.

I think you should try to tame your 06 with a GOOD recoil pad, if you can live with it it would be great for elk. My wife uses a 300win. mag. that is ported.

Melissa,

Forget the 300WinMag. as it for sure has more recoil that your 30-06. Some here will
argue, but the 243Win. is too light for big game when you include elk. Yes, it will kill the
elk, but then so will a 22LR if properly placed. 243 just isn't the right tool for the job.

I'd recommend you take a look at a 270Win., or the 7mm Mauser (7x57). The 270 would be better for a little longer ranges, and the 7x57 is a little lighter on recoil of the two. Either one will handle the chores for antelope, mule deer, and elk with the right
bullets. The 7x57 is getting pretty hard to find in new rifles these days, but of course the
270 is available from a large selection of manufacturers, and ammo is plentiful from all the makers too.
When looking at a new rifle one of the things to watch for is the amount of drop in the stock design. The straighter the stock (less drop) the less percieved recoil. I like the
Ruger 77, and another real good one is the Remington Mountain rifles. I have a Remington 700 LSS Mountain Rifle in 270Win. It weighs a little over 6-1/2lbs. without the scope, approx. 7-1/4lbs with, and recoil reminds me of shooting one of my old
243's - one that had more drop in the stock dimensions.
Here's a link to the Remington web page for this rifle:
Link: http://www.remington.com/firearms/ce...e/700mtnls.htm

Good luck.

308, 7mm-08, 270. Recoil is light and ammo can be bought everywhere you go. If you actually hunt elk then buy the 308 because its gives 90% of 30-06 performance and shoots the heaviest bullets. If your only thinking about hunting elk then get the 7mm-08 because it has the least amount of recoil. The 270 is an outstanding compromise but recoil is closer to that of your 30-06. Happy Hunting.

You suggest the 308 because it shoots the heaviest bullets yet you claim the 270win is an outstanding compromise between the 308 and the 7mm-08?It actually shoots lighter bullets than either the 7mm-08 or the 308win.The 7mm-08 is the compromise as far as bullet weights are concerned and it offers the least recoil.

7mm08 are easy on the shoulder and fun to shoot.

Get yourself a nicely padded rifle rest for the range. You can also add some padding to the rest if you choose and you should have no problem with recoil. There is no reason why you should punish yourself unnecessarily. Next get yourself a good recoil pad for your 06. In a hunting situation you shouldn't be taking more than a shot or 2 anyway and with the adrenilin running while focusing on harvesting your animal you won't even remember pulling the trigger.So I would stick with the 06. As far as a small INEXPERIANCED female the other post's are on the money with a 270 or 7mm-08 as the minimum for Big Game such as Elk.

If you want something different,Id go with a 7mm or 270.If I were you though,Id get a good recoil pad on your stock and one of those strap on recoil shoulder pads.You may want to consider getting a muzzle break on your barrel,which will significantly reduce recoil.The muzzle break will make the report much louder though,but if your using hearing protection,it dont realy matter.I have a friend who has a 300win with a muzzle break on it.Its loud,but the kick is like a 243.But really,Id suggest you keep the 06.Oh......if you have too,the 308 win is also a good choice.But Id try to keep the 06

Melissa,
I think you need to do a couple of things. First when sighting in from a bench I always wear a PAST recoil shield which is basically a dense foam pad that absorbs recoil (its in the Cabelas catalogue). When you wear one you never get bruised. Secondly pay more attention to the fit of the rifle you are shooting. You say you shoot a 30-06 which might be a little long for you and would amplify the recoil if you can't get a comfortable hold on it. I would try a Remington model 7 or a Browning Micro medallion on for size, both rifles are great choices for smaller framed shooters. Either a 7mm-08 or .308 would be plenty for the game you plan on hunting and if you stick to lighter premium bullets that will also help with the recoil.

THe 7mm-08 is a great round for small or female elk hunters IF YOU RELOAD There are only two factory loadings that are suitable for elk hunting. One is Winchesters 140 grain failsafe load and the other is Federals 140 grain Nosler partition. A great round but not very many options for the bigger animals.

For elk hunting I would get either a .308 or .270. Both of which will more than sufficient to hunt elk.