Originally Posted by
redgreen
A 300 Winchester magnum will do what you require, and then some.
Yep...On the short list I would include a 30-06, 7mm Mag and 300 Win Mag...
And, if you aren't use to controlling recoil you will be hard pressed to shoot these calibers enough to get proficient out to 800 yards..
You might be better to forget elk (although a 7mm-08 and .308 would do for elk) and look at a .243, 7mm-08, .308 or a 25-06...Then once you learn how to really shoot a rifle, include a .300 Win Mag...