[Hi Ball]

I will also blow the Horn against the 30-30 and even the likes of the .270 Winchester, unless your using a 150 or better yet the 160 grain premium bullet by Nosler, TBBC, Swift A Frame etc.

Most women today with a little practice can handle the .308 using a 165 grain premium bullet to hunt elk with and be success if given the shot on game. However, the PAST RECOIL PAD placed over their shoulders to lesson the recoil of the rifle by some 50% will greatly add to reduce unwanted recoil...... True FACT.

Elk are not whitetail deer in the woods! They are 3 to 4 times as big and can take a lot more lead thrown into their bodies. Their will to sustain life is very strong. I also like the 7mm mag for such game, as it's 160 and 175 grain bullet have a very high Sectional Density numbers, which means that bullet will penetrate extremely deep into the animals vital tissue and organs.

Now this PAST RECOIL PAD will turn a 300 Win mag caliber into feeling like your shooting a .270 Winchester.......Perhaps hard to believe but my wife and daughter can tell you the true facts, as they have both done so at the range. It's the best $40 dollars you could possibly spend on taming recoil of a rifle.

However, now that we have the calibers, lets talk about the actual rifle you might want to hunt the high country with OK. Hunting elk up high is hard work and tuff going for us "Flatlanders" no doubt about it whatsoever. I would suggest to you a light weight rifle, like Winchesters feather weight in the 30-06, .308 or their sporter model in the 7mm magnum.

It is best to try them ALL (Savage, Browning, Winchester etc) at gunstores etc and get the feel of the one you like shouldering. Also remember that this rifle will weight another pound or more, after you put the bases, rings and scope on top the barrel. Good Luck and don't forget that "RECOIL PAD"