Non magnum, the tried and true .30-06 is more than able to drop anything in North America. Including the big bears. Bullet selection and accuracy are your best friends with the .30-06. My dads go to gun for moose was his old .30-06 and he dropped quite a few over his long years of hunting. So if it is that capable for moose, elk is just a chip in comparison. If it likes them, load it up with some 180-200gr for elk and for speed goats load up some 150gr. The versatility of the .30-06 is it's true gift to us. I prefer my .300wm for elk but I've killed several with the old 06 and they were just as dead just as fast. Keep your shots 500 yards and under with the 06 and you will have pretty much the same performance as the .300wm. After 500 is where the 300 stretches is legs over the 06 when using the same bullets.