RE: ELK CARTRIDGE?
Where are you going to be hunting? Unless you are in an area where you will be shooting an elk at 500 yards regularly (not highly reccomended) you don't come close to needing an ultra mag. I use a .270Win. and it will work geat under 300 yards with the right bullets, though my farthest has been 130 yards. I would say that a moderate recoiling 30 to .338 caliber cartrige would be about ideal. Something along the lines of a 30-06, 300Win. mag., 338-06, or 338Win. mag. or a 35 Whelen. As soon as Winchester gets the .338WSM out there I will be standing in line for mine. You can get within 300 yards or less of about 95% of the elk out there.