With good shot placement and more important, good judgment, the 25-06 is adequate for elk. However its not the equal of the 270 and 280 even if it does use the same case. The Elk of a lifetime still does not justify taking iffy shots because more often than not a guy wounds the animal and does not recover it. Any quarry deserves better from the hunter. I would keep the 25-06 for deer where it excells and move up a notch or two for elk. The 7MM-08, 7X57, 260,270, 280, 308, 30-06 or 300 Win Mag would do a better job on elk.