Under 400 yards your 30-06 with a good bullet will certainly work. I love my 7mm RM and bought it specifically to be able to hunt elk 20 years before I actually got to go. It’s a nice elk gun loaded with 150 grain TTSX good to 500 yards without too much wind. After I tried a 300 Weatherby I’m a huge fan & not going back to the 7mm any time soon.
Agree that great boots & pack are a bigger improvement on your enjoyment of the hunt but having a rifle you know will do the job is great feeling when you finally get to pull the trigger.
