I agree but disagree here. It is true that a bad shot isn't going to kill an elk no matter what, but there are a couple of differences. The first is bad shots happen. Particularly with someone on there first elk hunt, but everyone makes bad shots from time to time. A big caliber will be a little more forgiving than a small one. I have seen an elk shot with a 338 RUM, the first shot was bad, pretty far back, but the energy was enough to knock the elk down for a quick follow up for the kill. If that elk was shot with a .25-06 it would have been gone.

The other is that people often times aren't as selective with there shots as they should be. That is another area where a larger caliber will be a little more forgiving. For example, you haven't seen a bull in your five days of hunting, then all of a sudden there is a good bull quartering toward you at 300 yards at dusk. It is your last day of hunting, but with a 270 I don't think you should be taking that shot.

I'm not saying that a 270 can't get the job done, because it can (You do need to change your bullet if you decide to use it though, go heavier and a more solid construction than the ballistic tip). All I'm saying it is about the minimum for someone on there first elk hunt, that only has a limited time to hunt. My opinion would be to go a little bigger if you can afford it. If not go with the 270, and be selective with your shots.

Just my two cents, but sometimes someone has to play devil's advocate