You have a great memory Quilly...I don't write about my Ruger Deerfield Carbine very often, but it is a great gun. I use the Winchester 250 gr. Partition in it for black bear, and it will roll a 500 lb. boar over with one shot at 125 yds.! Been there, done that!

I use the Winchester Super X 300 gr. JHP in my 45-70 for black bear. This is a 200 yd. black bear round.

HK45 USP:
A 30-06 bullet is .308 calliber and when it expands in game, it reaches about 45 calliber. A 44 Magnum is .429 calliber, and obviously hard cast bullets will not expand at all. Both will shoot through an elk broadside out to 150 yds. But due to bullet weight and original diameter, the 300 gr. 44 mag loads hit harder than 180 gr. 30-06 loads. You are correct however when you say a 220 gr. handloaded 30-06 bullet is better for elk. I was referring to the 150 and 180 gr. weights with my earlier post. I too feel the 30-06 is a better all-around rifle, I was just trying to prove that the 44 mag. rifle is underrated and is great for all North American game inside of 150 yds. when loaded with the correct ammunition.