RE: Which gun should be my Elk back-up?
 

I think there is no question in my mind what I would pack and that would be a 270 and if I had nothing else in the gun safe it would be my primary Elk rifle and I wouldn' t think about it twice. The ruger 77 is also going to be lighter than the mauser.

RE: Which gun should be my Elk back-up?
 

Ballistically, with the right load, caliber would not determine my choice between a .270 and a 7mm/' 08. I' d take whichever rifle is easier to carry and has sufficient accuracy.