Absolutley,I agree with everything you said. Especially about hating recoil.I'm worse than a woman picking out new shoes when it comes to these decisions. I am planning a trip out west for an elk in the next year or two is my only reasoning for the higher caliber. Other than that it would be a .270 without a doubt.
I lived in colo for a few years, now this was in the early 80's so the wsm's didn't exist. just about all the elk were shot with 30-06 or 270 followed by 300 win mag and 7mm mag in open country. in woods elk country you could realy come across some wild calibers, as shots are generaly never over 200 yd's 35 rem, 375 win, 308/7mm08, 35 wheelen. today any of the wsm's will work good, as will any of the above mentioned calibers. and unless going for sheep in super high altitude where wt is critical I'd try to keep it in the med wt zone 7 1/2 pound - 8 1/2 pounds
