There are basically two camps out there when it comes to rifles/big game hunting guns. There is the "Elmer Keith camp" as Cherokee mentions, and the "Jack O'Connor camp" that advocate the 270 for everything. These two were at odds (and didn't particularly like each other) when they were at "Outdoor Life," and as seen in this forum are still at odds.

I happen to fall in the Keith camp. That is just the way I feel. I am not advocating taking ill-advised shots as Cherokee seems to think, but I do believe that magnums are a better "worst-case-senerio" gun, when able to be shot well. I also believe that most people can train themselves to be able to shoot a gun with recoil. It is called practice. People that go after the "big-five" better be able to shoot well (put a shot where they want it) but also shoot a big gun (one that has recoil).

Cherokee, as a guide myself, I have seen first time elk hunters "from out east" not be able to shoot. They shoot their trusty '06, and when they see their first bull they can't calm themselves and occasionally take a bad shot or make a bad shot. Not every does that, but some do. That is where I believe a magnum has some advantage.

Just my belief. I know not everyone is going to agree, and that is fine, but there has to be a discussion, or forums like this would be no fun.

ElkKamp, my feeling on the 270 is that it is the starting point for elk hunting, for people on a guided hunt with a limited amount of time. People that are able to hunt from September until December can be more selective with shots and thus use something like a .243 or 257 Roberts. I think a 30 caliber is a little better choice, and Obviously I like magnums, but the 270 is a good starting point.