The "Light weight" .338 Mag's Recoil, is not, a "problem" in the Field, the "problem" is IN,..
Working up loads, on the Bench and IF, wanting to practice shooting, FIELD Positions, to get familiar with, your Rifle !
The 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm-08, 7 Saum, .280 AI and .270 WSM will ALL, Kill Elk, to 600++ using, the "right" Bullet !
WHY punish yourself ? We have owned .300 WSM's and .338's and SOLD them, in favor of, 7.5 Pound Tikka's "all up" !
A 140 grain, Classic Hunter, .270 WSM Bullet, Launched at 3,180 FPS is still going OVER,.. 2,000 FPS at, 800 Yards !
A good many Elk are shot, in the Forests and Canyon Country ( at reasonable Ranges ) and,.. several Miles from, the Truck !
Unless, you are dedicated to, shooting from one Mountain, to another,.. you DON'T "need" a Big Caliber, Heavy, Rifle .
The lowly, 7mm-08's Ballistics, will surprise you with, the 168 Bergers launched at, 2,775 FPS !
OP wants,. Light weight, for packing/ HUNTING, in the Mountains "Capable" of Killing Elk,.. to 600 Yards !
The Cartridges, I listed, DO,.. THAT ! And without, the punishment, for some FUN,. practicing, on Steel !