If you read all the above posts together, the message is clear: any one of the cartridges you mentioned will work. If you want to walk down the middle and go with sheer versatility and practicality, then .30-06 is the best choice. It's what I choose as my main hunting rifle, and with a 168-grain Barnes TripleShock at a chronographed 3,000 fps, I would not hesitate to use it on the biggest elk or moose as far as I would care to shoot.
You mentioned recoil sensitivity. All of us have it, but the threshold varies. In fact, recoil is like lifting weights. The effect is cumulative as exhaustion sets in. Virtually anyone can fire one shot from a .338 Winchester Magnum without problem. But after a few rounds, it gets tougher and tougher, and that's where technique and discipline kick in.
The same is true of lifting weights. Anyone can lift a 25-lb. dumbell. But try doing 100 curls with it. Some will be able to do more than others.
If you accept this analogy, then it becomes clear that a novice should begin with a lighter cartridge (like a lighter weight) and work on his technique and follow-through. Personally, I started with a 7mm Remginton Magnum. In retrospect, that was probably not the best choice, but I did shoot it a great deal and mentally work my way through the recoil issues. It was like beginning to lift weights with something that was brutal.
Like I said, the .30-06 is the most practical choice. But an even better choice for a beginning shooter would probably be something like the 7-08, 7x57 or 6.5x55. These are mild cartridges that are fun to shoot. They are also insanely accurate, so they seem to make hitting easier. In addition, they have all taken game the size of elk and moose quite effectively. In fact, the 6.5 x 55 has been the Number One moose cartridge in Scandinavia for more than 100 years. Anyone who began his big game hunting career with one of these rifles would need to make no apologies to anyone about the effectiveness and power of his rifle, especially when loaded with premium bullets.
If you don't believe me about the effectiveness of the 7-08, check out this thread:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106470
In spite of everything I've said above, I have developed a sentimental fondness for the .300 Winchester Magnum over the last few years. This is purely emotional, however. The truth is that it really doesn't offer that much more practical hunting power over the .30-06, especially with modern handloads.
on a more searous note 30/06 or 300 winchester mag will be a great moose/elk/deer rifle
