Hey RJS,
I am very fond of my Ultra Leightweight Weatherby in .308. It is simply a joy to carry in the field and if you are chasing elk in elevations, you will appreciate the weight factor considerable at the end of the day!
My rifle is a stainless, synthetic combo-26" barrel. I have found the first shot to always be a tack driver (ideal for hunting, right?) while subsequent follow-up shots at the bench to stray as the pencil thin barrel gets heated up. I have taken a fair amount of whitetails with this rifle and have insofar, never required a second shot but the 2nd and third shot groups would still score in an animal's vitals for hunting applications-just not enough for benchrest accuracy.
For a reliable hunting companion, mine has done me well. Get some sturdy mounts and some good glass and you'll be good to go, my friend!