You already have an '06. Problem has already been solved. As to not "having the chance or being able to afford a big game hunt" I'd say you need to reconsider your priorities since you can make a DIY hunt for elk, mule deer, black bear and pronghorn for the cost of the tag and the gas to get to one of 6 different western states.
I am finding that DIY hunts for elk are low-success or more than just a tag. And a non-res MT elk tag is over $900.
But you are right about the -06. It'll do for elk.
However, if OP is looking for support to buy a new rifle, we should help him out 😉.
