TerryM

Interesting results even with a relatively small sample but only 26% choose a non magnum for elk. I guess the days of .270 and 30-06 are fading so it should come as no surprise that the arms companies are banging out new magnums as fast as they can dream them up. Geez, not even one Whelen or .35 cal eh?

ELKampMaster

The poll was open to all (that have actually taken elk that is) and this grouping is the crowd that chose to put out the effort to vote. Some folks fromBOTH sides of the "cartridge divide" that I was sure would be in there rooting for the pet piece of iron didn'tvote though they were responding to adjacent threads. One fellow that did voteI know has a .35 caliber rifle and opted for a 7mm as his favorite. Given the utter masses of 270's in the general U.S. population, I was surprised (pleasantly so ) to see them in such a minority.... of course I did say FAVORITE elk cartridge and a lot of those boys (and girls) that actually hunt elk have moved up to something a bit more frisky.

It appears that the venerable 30-06remains perchedright at the "magnum gateway" --- for being 99 years old it is just superb cartridge. I anticipate it will NOT fade away for a long time. [Kinda neat that it liberated Europe twice.]

Again, I'd recommend going with the 30-06.

James B

Of the two, I would use the 30-06 180 grain Nosler Pertition. I am sure the Barnes X bullet would be a good choice as well but I have used mostly the Partition.

Doe Dumper

My vote is for the 243!! It will drop anything like a bad habit!

gopher slayer

i would go 30 06 with 180 gr accubonds, man they shoot great in my gun 0.5 moa at 200 yards if i didnt pull that last shot.

wyomingtrapper

I use the .06 w/ 165 grain winchester soft points. It quickly put down 6 elk for me. I'm not qualified to comment on the other. Which do you like to hunt with better? Which are you more accurate with? Which do you like to shoot better?

Roskoe

I would go with the 30/06 and a 165 gr. Swift Scirocco; although I'll bet the 7MM-08 with a 150 Scirocco would be almost as good.

ColoradoElk

Comparing a standard length .308 case to shortened.308 case, necked down to .284 is unfair. The '06 is a vastly superior cartridge.

Good luck,
CE

James B

Doe Dumper. I keep forgeting that because of its screaming velocity the 243 is suitable for all game from mouse to Mamoth!!! Its also most likely the cause of the end of the dinosaurs. Silly me. Must be my increasing age.

frizzellr

In what respect?