I never did answer the real question. What is the best elk call, ME! Truely a diaphragm and grunt tube are the basis for my elk calling. But I do use Carlton and Primos bit & blow cow calls. As for calling in elk I don't just cow call and I don't just bugle, I use both calls. A lot of the guys here are using Elknut1 method of calling, very good choice I recommend it highly. But I am a wild child and am more aggressive than some maybe most of the guys here in my calling. I don't recommend this to most guys, but it works for me. I put extreme pressure on elk, god what a kick, I love it. Learn from Elknut1's videos, then you can be like them or be like me.
Gselkhunter