afp

All three are excellent rounds. The 338 is porbably better for larger animals.

Guys get wrapped up around the velocity thing a bit too much in determining effective range. A 30-06 is easily capable of making cleans kills at 600-800+ yds. However, few shooters can do that, and most of us shouldn't try until we get the specialized equipment and develop the skills.

The range potential of the round is made by determining the minimum velocity required for the bullet to properly penetrate and--if needed--expand. The bigger the bullet, the less it needs to expand.

Energy is not a good indicator of killing power, because energy doesn't take bullet expansion, bullet integrity, or bullet penetration into consideration. Yes, we can run calculations all day to try and quantify this and get somewhat close, but we don't need to that. We have been shooting smokeless powder rifles for over a 100 years and there is lots of actual field experience that lets us know what works, and what works well. IE, assuming proper bullets, correct shot placement, and avoiding the extremes:

Deer: a 223 will kill a deer, a 243 kills a little more reliably, and 27 to 30 cals work VERY well

Elk: a 243 will kill an elk, a .270 kills a little more reliably, and the 30-338 bores work VERY well

Big Bears: A 7mm-08 will kill one, a 30 cal kills a little more reliably, a 338 cal is more relible yet, and 375s to 458s work VERY well

Cape Buffalo: a 338 will kill one, 9.3s and 375s are more reliable, and 416s to 470s work VERY well

Elephant (with apologies Mr. Bell): a 375 will kill one, 416s to 458s are more relible, and 470s and up work well.