My 1st Elk Hunt was early 70's, so some details are foggy.
Lee-Enfield Jungle Carbine that was "sporterized" kicked like mule. .303 British 180 CIL SabreTips IIRC
So did you get a shot opportunity? I've looked at my .303's (mine aren't carbines) and thought that they had all of the elements to be good candidates to be sporterized.