When I am not using a stick flipper I have to say my .300 RUM. Out of 12 elk kills 5 are with stick flippers, 7 are rifle kills. Of that seven one was a .270 kill (big mistake), one 7 Mag kill, it performed OK but not that overall inpressive. Three kill were from a .300 WBY, and I have two kills from my .300 RUM now.When I owned my .270 I was a young teen and I didn't know a thing about quality bullets. I was using factory ammo with 130 core locks. I know now that is not and never has been a good elk load. I also thought that because the .270 was a flat shooter it could reach out theirand nock a elk on its butt. I was told this of course by several people who I assumed knew it all about elk and elk hunting. My first elk a spike bull was about 450 yards away, and it took 5 shots from my .270 to make him lay down. I fired 7 times and hit him 5 times,of the 5 hits4 were excellent heart and lung vital shots. The 5th hit waslow and broke his leg below his knee and that is when he decided to lay down. Up to that point I didn't know I had hit him at all.After hiking accross the canyon to get to him, he saw me approaching and at 40 yards away he still had enough stregth to stand up. I shot my 8th shot overall and broke his neck killing him at once. Looking back I know I made several mistakes including shooting long range, and using inproper bullets. But I was 13 and was following the advice of those who I trusted. Over time I have formed my own opinions and knowledge. I have to agree with ELKampMaster that I want to anchor a elk where it stands when using a rifle. In all my elk hunting including archery, I have lost one and only one elk so far and it was a small bull that I hit with my.270 at age 15 during a snow storm at about 200 yards.The next year I upgraded to a .300 WBY and I have never regretted that decision. If neededIwould use a .270 again but it would be loaded with premium bullets, the shots would be limited to 300 yards overall. And I would not try anything but a good vital broadside shot. Being honest if a bull of a lifetime walked out at 500 yards away with a less than perfect angle, and their was10 minutes of shooting light left on the last day of the hunt, I would not want to say dang thats too bad, well maybe some other time! I know that is why when I rifle hunt I will use a gun such as a .300 RUM that could take that shot and drop the bull in its tracks. Good luck everyone and make sure to follow upwith each and every shot no matter what you are using, be it rifle, blackpowder or archery. Take care Jason