I came on here tolearn how to fix a problem with my daughters rifle. It has me thingking.

I would like to try and build me up a savage shooter.

Here is what I want. Light weight mountain rifle that will drop elk to about three hundred. I like my daughters rifle which is a youth model with a short stock (yes shortened beyond youth size) and a twenty inch (I think, maybe 22) in 308 win. What I like. The gun is short light and compact will be easy to carry. I want something that can be strapped to a back back and easily go through the woods. I hunt in brush not parks. So with that said what is a good cailiber and combination of goodies to make a real elk moutain Rifle. I was thinking the .308 win is a good one. But what about some of the short mags. My concern here is enough barrel to do the powder justice. I would like to build this off of the short action and keep it .308 or bigger. Anythoughts. Whats out there in .33 cal. I reload so ammo availability isn't an issue but I don't want to spend a fortune on having stuff specially chambered.