Yes WK I owned several at that time that I could have taken,on that trip I had taken 3 rifles with me,never know when something happens.In the camper at camp I had a my 30-06 7600 and in the gun rack I had my first .338 M-70 I ever owned,I had just bought it maybe a week befor I went and accualy we had just sighted it in the day befor.I was not quite not quit comfotable with it yet,it was a little longer than my 25-06 and 30-06,and I just loved my 25-06 Ruger MK1,like I said I absoultly trusted this caliber,I would have taken a charging grizzly with it.I had killed elk befor with it but not at that range under 200 yds,and I pushed the envolpe with the shot I took,it had to be absolutly on the mark if to pull it off,and like I said at the shot he hit the ground,even when he ran we could see the blood on his side in the scope and the other guys watchin when he ran.The mark was 5-6 inches up from the brisket and 6 inches behind the shoulder.To me that should have been lung all the way,unless I clipped a rib and at that far the .25-06 would not have had the force to breack through a Rib like a bigger caliber(about 1000 lbs).I've skinned elk to see how strong a rib bone is on a elk,I've seen 06's mash against them at 200 yds or less.


I have a brother-in-law that used to use a 30-30 only up until last year,he just bought a new Ruger .280 in Feb.

Well I'm dropping this whole ordeal,I posted my OPION and my experiences on why I would choose power over precision,and to me if elk are involved that is my .338.
Take it or leave it for what is worth.

Thanks RBH

Have a good weekend all!!!!
BBJ