Can't decide on new rifle....Help

I have decided to buy a couple of new rifles. I am a deer hunter who has always lived in a shotgun state, and recently our laws have changed. I have a Remington 770 in a 300 win mag, but hate the action, and am just sick of the cheap gun altogether. It's not worth selling, so I'm going to keep it, but I've decided to buy a Winchester Model 70 in a 270win with a wooden stock. It's a classic rifle, and something I can pass down. Putting a VX2 4-12x40 LR, and getting Leopold's CDS on it, because why not. So, I'm pretty confident in this decision. But, I don't want to take this out in the weather, and scratch it up in the brush, so I'm also buying a synthetic stock rifle also. I think it's going to be the weatherby weathermark, because it seems to just fit the bill: accurate, economic, and well constructed for inclement weather. My issue is that I keep changing my idea of what caliber to buy. I started thinking of buying another 300 win mag, but that seems dumb. So then I thought maybe I'd buy the something smaller. I'm considering the 257wby, but I've then read about the 6.5 creedmore. I plan on elk hunting some(very rare), and would also like for this to be able to take an elk (however not its primary role). I've deer hunted my whole life, and am a better shot now than I ever have been, so as long as the bullet can do the job, I'm confident in my abilities. I don't reload, and don't care about the price of ammo, because I'm not a weekend shooter, I'm a hunter. I just want something that I can hunt Indiana deer, and Colorado elk with, and not be undersized, but maybe fill the gap around what I already have: 270 and 300 win mag. I'm looking for flat shooting and solid performing, with killing knock down power, even if in a smaller caliber. This will be my go to gun. I need it to kill at a short distance (25yds) as well as long distances (up to 400 yds). I don't have an issue with the 300 win mag recoil, really, but I know I'd be more accurate with less recoil. Please Advise.

I'm getting the M70 in a 270 because of the great deal I found in that particular gun. I want it to stay looking nice, and stay out of the weather. My question is more of what to get in the Weatherby Weatherguard. It will be my everyday gun. I hunt from October to January. Bow, Rifle, and muzzleloader. The Weatherby will be in some pretty crappy conditions, and why I'm buying a second gun. 6.5? 257wby? 7mm-08? 7mm rem mag? 25-06? I'm torn...

Yeah; forgot to add the 30-06; another consideration I've had. Cheap ammo, and performs well. Not as flat as some others mentioned though

I have a 7 year old boy, who I'll pass the M70 270win to, so I just want to keep it nice. The 300 win mag is, believe it or not, really accurate even though it is a cheap 770; I just thought maybe a lower recoil, high velocity round that I could have as an everyday gun may be a little more pleasurable to shoot, and therefore I may be a little more accurate shooting. Keep in mind, I've never lost a deer with this gun. I just don't like the gun. The action is horrible. Adding a 30-06 isn't a bad idea, just very similiar to the 270 and 300 win mag

Agreed on the field of view...I have to go down to 4 power in the woods

Any opinions on 6.5 creedmoor, 257wby, 7mm-08, or 25-06 for both elk and deer.

Thanks JeeperCreeper. I was kinda leaning towards the 257wby or 7mm-08. I like the weatherby weatherguard because of that ceramic finish that seems like it could take anything weather wise. I really haven't seen many posts about them though. Im lucky enough to have a 400 acre farm, half tilled, and the other deep woods with a river running thought it to hunt. I have 1 field a mile long. Thats big in southern Indiana. The woods are thick, and then I have the long fields. I'm just torn. I know the 270 will work great. Ill hunt with it some, just not in crappy weather and in the brush. But I'm looking for an in between, in some way.

Okay. So a 257wby or 7mm-08 are too small for elk?

I buy 2 boxes of ammo per year per gun, and its all online, so I don't care about the availability at wallyworld. I have come to really love Nosler and Barnes...and will pay for them. Unfortunately I bought a new 12ga semi auto, and then bought a cantilever barrel, the year before we became a rifle state. I just hate the recoil, and am sick of being a 200 yard and under hunter... however I still haven't shot past 250 yards with my rifle. There's nothing wrong with the slug gun. Ive killed a ton with multiple different gauges. But I'm exited to be able to use more accurate, less recoil cartridges, and just want to choose wisely.

243winxb said:

Scopes can be calibrated, lines added in the scope, out to a very long distance.
To make a clean kill, some use a 300 Remington Ultra magnum.

Not needed if game is a lot closer.

Hunting elk with bow and arrow is done.

Click to expand...

I really like the idea of Leupold cds dial. I think that will work for that. I'm most looking for a caliber that can cleanly take an elk, shoot flat, and has the best combo of low recoil and knock down power. I'll probably just buy another Leupold scope for this Weatherby Weatherguard as well. Any ideas for caliber?... Remembering I have a 270 and 300win mag already.