The idea of a fast pointing pump action with a quick follow up shot in 9.3 seems made to be a perfect deep woods elk rifle. But it really does seem like the 35 Whelan would be the classic American caliber. I can't say anything bad about the 06 but it would finish 3rd in that comparison.
I have an old tang safety Ruger in 06 that doesn't shoot but was my dad's and I've thought of a re-bore to make it the close up thumper. It wouldn't be nearly as handy as the pump. After shooting a pump action 22 my grandson asked if he could get a pump action elk rifle instead of a bolt. Now for a 10 year old the 270 would be about right.
