The big 7mms are fine for elk, but the 7mm08, 7x57ect are not ideal. Elk are TOUGHTOUGH, thats double tough. The 7rem.mag., STW, RUM. Are suitable. I know guys who hunt elk w/ 22-250 and get elk, but it isn't ideal by any means.

Federal 175 gr. Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. Good luck.

I've seen alot of Elk killed in my life and you can kill one without about anything. I shot my first one with a .270, killed others with a 30-06, 7mm, 7mm RUM and 300 Win Mag. The 7mm and 7mm RUM are by far my favorites! Like most things in hunting shot selection and placement means more than anything, but I like the 7mm more for the ballistics of the bullet, combined with it's knock down power than anything. I grew up in Wyoming shooting long distances or across canyons. We liked the 7mm because it is flatter than the .30 cal's, etc. I went to the RUM for this reason too. Just faster and flatter than the traditional 7mm. One thing that has been tested by all of us in the family is the bullet. 160 gr or 162 gr Hornady is the only way to go in my opinion. It is my favorite bullet for hunting Mulies and Elk hands down. We have killed over 100 elk with a 160 gr boat tail bullet alone. Two years ago I switched to the Hornady SST and really like them. With all that said, I echo everyone in hear. 7mm is perfect in my opinion and look at a 160 gr bullet. If you hand load, PM me and I can provide some good load info.