I have killed 4 elk in the past 7 years. The distances have been 15, 25, 50, and 176 yards. All taken with a 30-06.

When my Grandfather would go hunting, he would wander off into the bush with one knife, three bullets, and his .308, and he would come back with anything from white tail deer to big bull moose. That rifle is a GREAT all rounder.

If it was me I'd throw the 300 Win in a case and head off.

Jack o'connor believed the .270 was an excellent elk round so i think a .308 would do the job just as well. Just stay within you range/energy with a particular load and you should do fine.

My son and grandson along with myself have all shot elk with a 270--308 is fine

There is little doubt in my mind that the .308 is capable of killing an elk. Some even use a .243. With that being said, if the OP has a .338 that he is comfortable with and shoots well, why in the world wouldn't he take it?? By the way, the .338 was a derivative of the original .333 OKH originally developed by Elmer Keith an others soley for the purpose of elk hunting... but I'm sure some of you have never heard of Elmer Keith.

You talking about heavy bullet Keith, LOL!!! His book was a hoot!

I know him, but never agreed with him. I listened to Jack O'Connor instead.

Mojotex,

Your OK on any of these 3 cartridges.
If me I'd want to get that 338 bloody!

Jack was quite the accomplished, smooth writer while Elmer was a "good old boy" that believed in slinging heavy lead as far as he could. It was sickening to read in his book about aiming many feet above animals with a 44 mag and almost dropping them in to konk them on the head with that heavy lead, LOL!