It's hard to say that the 7mm-08 has anything on the 30-06. It's hard to say the'06 has alot on the 7mm-08 either. But the '06 will give you more energy and a little bit bigger and wider bullet and would probably make a little bigger of a hole. But other than that, they're both good. I like the '06 myself but the 7mm-08 has less recoil also. I'd just use the '06 on elk just to be sure.