"I dont care what cartridge you shoot a elk with, if you hit it in the lungs it is going to run."

***That's interesting because the last 6 we've taken with a .270, a 7mm mag, and a .300 win mag were all shot through the lungs and none ran anywhere. The biggest (357 3/8" net after drying) did try to get back up and my buddy shot him a second time to keep him down.

Originally Posted by Anthony T.
I'd recommend the biggest rifle cartridge you are comfy shooting for elk. Then match one to the range you'll be shooting. My choices would be 30-06 for inside 200yds and 300 win mag for 200+yds. It's not a caribou. Elk are tough buggers. Tougher than some guys on here are giving them credit for.

***I'd also have to call baloney on the 30-06 being an "under 200 yard" gun for elk. They still have some pretty good poop out to about 350 or a little better with a good, stout bullet. Elk are a big, solid animal, but they aren't made of steel. That said, I'll still leave my .243 and 25-06 in the safe and carry a 30-06 or bigger for them.