I would say to get a rifle that you can shoot well whatever the caliber. If you are recoil sensative then a 338 mag probably won' t be your best option. Something more like the 7mm-08, 308, 270, .280. or 30-06. Many people feel that elk are somekind of super animals but the fact is if you put a bullet into the lungs or heart then it' s going to die. I would however use a " hold together bullet" like the failsafe, barnes, nosler, A-frame no matter what the caliber as they do have heavier bones than deer but they are not super animals. These bullets will blow through shoulder bones and get into the lungs and in almost all cases they will exit the other side. If you are on a budget and already have one of these caliber rifles then you will be just fine with elk.