Laker,
Skipping over 6 pages of postings, I'll tell you right now that you should use the 30-06. For a lot of reasons, many of which were probably posted. The cheaper cost of ammo is a big one unless you are a handloader. The rifle will be a little lighter and shorter and the cartridge will be easier to master. Don't get me wrong, a 300WM in capable hands is a very lethal weapon.
But a 30-06 will be easier to gain confidence because of the recoil. You can master your skill level with cheaper ammo and move up to the premium stuff for elk. A standard cup and core is plenty for deer. Don't buy into the magnumitis, it is not really needed that often. A hunters' ego demands it more than the big game does.
I should add that this comes from 16 30-06 elk kills in my group to date from 75 yards to 425 yards - 6 from the 270Win and 10 from the 30-06. Good luck.
Last edited by bigwhoop; 03/06/10.
