Also, for the caliber debate, I think bullet selection is more important that caliber. Well, most important of all is getting the bullet to hit an important organ (brain, heart, lungs, spine/neck). For elk at reasonable range, I'd be happy with a 7mm-08. Same for deer. Also fine for coyote. I think it's the new 30-06. The '06 was once the 'do-it-all' cartridge. It still is, but with modern bullets (bonded core, partition, solid copper) the 7mm can easily fill the roles of the old cup and core 30 cal bullets... and more. If I knew years ago what I know now, and if I didn't field slaughter buffalo each year with my father, I'd have two rifles for everything in the lower 48. A 22 lr (or 223 if in the more open plains or for small feral pigs) and a 7mm-08. From squirrel to elk and moose, that would cover everything and do it all with mild recoil too.