I am looking into getting a rifle just for elk and am wondering which kind to get. I already know he two basic kinds of bullets (a big bullet that moves slower and packs a big punch, and a smaller bullet that has high speed and flat trejectory). to the calibers I am looking into are: a 325 wsm and a(model 70 or blr) 45--70(marlin guide gun)? which do you prefer? do you have any better suggestions?

Of the two I'd be grabbing the .325 WSM simply for the range it affords you.

Do I have a better pick?.....It's still hard to beat the old .30-06 but the .338-06 might be somewhat the better. There's also a slew of .30 caliber magnums to pick from as well as the 7mm Rem Mag....

The 45/70 is a good round, and responds favorably to being stoked alot hotter. I have a 1895, the longer sibling of the guide gun, and would have no problem going after elk with it. Make sure you load decent bullets however. Hard cast or better jacketed rounds over the cheap remington bullets IMO. The cheap ones tend to not like the hotter loadings. I would also throw the 444, and 450 marlin in that box as well.
As for higher velocity loads, the venerable '06, 7mm remington mag, 300 win mag, etc are all capable, just use heavy for caliber bullets. Even the 375H&H is great for elk, shooting as flat as an '06, and hits like a hammer. Slower guns like the big boomer lever guns are great shorter range guns. The magnums are better at intermediate to longer range shots.

The real question is, what kind of hunter are you, as in, the kind that likes or takes longer shots, or prefers closer up hits? That will really dictate what to get.

I already have a 30-06, I am just looking to buy a rifle that is suited just for elk and similar big game.

I will not be shooting at long ranges, mainly short to medium range.

Depends on the adventure and challenge you want. If you want the challenge of not having a choice other than getting a little closer, get the big bore lever gun. If not, I'd take a 7RM, but that's just me.

Unless you reload, you'll be paying out the nose for ammo, assuming you can even find any. I would personally look at a 30-06 or 300 win Mag for the distances you're expecting.

.300 Win Mag.
http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/300wm.html

.338 Win Mag.
http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/338wm.html

.375 H&H
http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/375hh.html


Were there are bigger bears, I want a bigger gun !

Plus a sidearm.......................and pepper spray. LOL



FYI -and a good read;

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...6/ai_65574867/

big and fast, .340wby, 225grs@3100fps!

If considering a .325wsm, you may consider just getting the more popular .300wsm

I'd probably say anything between the .270win and .375 to be ideal, I'd probably skip the .45-70

The .300win.mag. is probably the ideal/classic, hard to go wrong with it or any .300 mag.

In other words you want another gun. Your .30-06 will kill elk just as well as a 300WM or other. Especially if you're not shooting long distance. Took an Elk about two months ago with a .30-06.

Never once doubted I didn't have enough gun.

Tom