My first cow elk was with a 30-06, 23" Douglas barreled (#3) Mod 70 Featherweight (PF) and the Hornady Lite Magnum 180sp. 2x7 scope. I then had an opportunity to go to South Africa. I found a used Mod 700 Classic in 35 Whelen, had it reamed out to the Ackley, trigger adjusted to 3# and a Decelerator pad put on. Added a 1.5x5 Leupold on it. I fireformed my brass and used the old ( at that time it was new!) 250X right at 2600. I put it 1" high at 100. I shot Blue Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest, Kudu, Zebra, and Oryx. I recovered only 2, lengthwise shots on the zebra and kudu (over 3 ft) It was "my" observation" that using a big gun on big animals was perfect! It chilled their doo-doo pronto! Later in life I found another Mod 700 Classic and had it put in a Brown Precision High Country (that's the one you want!) and added a brake ( I'd had a neck surgery so had to then) I used the 200X, shot zebra and Black wildebeest ( 347yds on wildebeest, 250 on the zebra) never recovered a bullet! But I will add...a 30-06 with a 200gr bullet (or 220 round nose or Woodleigh 240 or 168-180 TTSX) is an awesome round! Just saying...now I have a 22" Ruger 77 in 338 RCM and will work with the 180AB, 200BT and the 205 Hammer. 2x8 Vortex Razor on it. Sheboygin! have a ball Pard...but try it in 30-06 first!
I have also had a Mod 70 Featherweight rebarreled to 9.3x62 and worked up the 286 Nosler. I gave that rifle to a young friend (had a young family & no money!) and killed a big spike that year standing behind a screen of buckbrush...35 yds, straight down! I used a Mod 700 BDL SS in .375 H&h (them they cost $350 bucks!) that was very light and a joy to use, same with the Mod 700 Classic in 375 H&H, awesome rifles! That is another way to go, light and fast 375 H&H!
