Just on aquick note, I shoot a winchester 30.06 and have shot 150, 165, and 180 grain bullets through it. I currently shoot 150 grain for everything. I hunt antelope, mule deer, and elk. And if you say a 150 grain bullet won't work for elk you are fooling yourself. 150 grain will do the job on elk even at long distances. However I shot 165 grain bullets briefly for one season because that is all I could come by in time for the hunt and they did shoot a nice grouping. I started out shooting 180 grain bullets, and have shot both elk and deer with it. 180 grain bullets seem to hold accuracy at long distances a little better, however they are slower. I would go with whichever you are more comfortable with and the key is to get comfortable with whichever grain you choose and know where your gun is shooting with that grain of bullet. For example know where it is at at 100, 200, 300, 400, and even 500 yards. A lot of people will say a 500 hundred yard shot is foolish, but if you know where your gun is shooting and have a comfortable rest, then the shot is easy. Just know your gun and your bullet so no matter what when you decide to pull the trigger you know he is going to go down.
huntervirg