I like your question Coastie, now we get do a little thinking.

In your example of the 30-06 I don' t know what table you pulled from but I' d use a 180gr partition on elk in the 30-06 which delivers about 1830 ft-lbs at 300yds (Which is the same as the 30-30 AT THE MUZZLE!!!) so I' d limit shots to about 325yds with that load. That translates to a 25 yd range for the 30-30.

Just because you pick an adequate rifle doesn' t mean you can throw any old bullet in it for elk. You have to pick a quality bullet and a quality load. The rifle is only 1/3 of the equation. You MUST know your shooting capabilities matched with the capabilities of the rifle and load.

Using the 30-06 example assuming I used the exact same load and rifle for deer my range would be 325yds for elk even though I could shoot consistently at about 500 yds. For deer the rifle could cleanly take a deer out past 600 yds. That is of course if I could be accurate at that range which I couldn' t so I' d limit to my accurate range. So for deer my ability determines range, for elk the load determines range.

To answer your question I shoot a 7mm Rem mag with 160 gr partitions and I limit my shots to no more than 400 yds, 425 in a pinch (I get about 1800 ft-lbs at 400yds.). Although I try to get closer than that, I' ve only taken that shot once with good results. All other elk have been under 300 yds. I used to use an 06 but I realized I could get a little more range with my 7mm and the kick is about the same.