I'm saving my money for an Elk hunt next year and a new rifle. I've heard I need anything from a .270 to a.338 Win Mag for the hunt. Any of you guys have real world experience on what caliber would be best?

I've carried a .338 the few times I've been. I've killed two bulls with it.

Lots of elk hunters swear by the 7 mag.

Doesn't take much to kill a perfectly broadside bull anything from 270-338 will work. You get into the bigger options when things aren't perfect.

Shot placement is key as with all animals...

I went 300 win just to make sure I had enough umph if it's a shot at range. Make sure to get a good quality bullet.

30-06 so when you come back to Texas you still have a usable rifle.

I'd say 300 mag. For range and power and anything-kill-a-bility.

Really, just be comfortable behind whatever you're shooting. A lot of people use 270s. I was once told of a 223 elk kill. A lot of other people use 7 mags, which has been said before.

Key with an elk like lots of other big game is make that first shot into the vitals. A poor first shot and it can make for a long tracking job if the animal is recovered at all. Once adrenaline gets going those big critters can get going and go for a ways even if shot with a big caliber like 338Win Mag or larger.

As far as caliber for elk, 270Win and up with good bullets will work fine, be honest with yourself and get one you can shoot well. I would much rather help find an elk shot in the lungs with a 257 Roberts than one shot in the gut with a 338 Win Mag.

A good friend that is an outfitter in Montana hates the 338 Win Mag for elk since almost all the hunters that have shown up with them cannot shoot them accurately. Myself, I have used 300 Wby Mag, 7mmSTW, 350 Remington Mag, 6.5-284 Norma and 257 Wby Mag. All worked well.

7MM got my two bulls.

Kill both of my bulls with a 270 WSM. One at 200 yards the other a little over 300. 129gr TSX.

Teddy Roosevelt used Winchesters in various calibers and he said in his book to keep shooting an elk until it fell. BUT, he also had horrible vision, so that explains some things as well. He probably couldn't tell he hit anything until they either fell or disappeared. lol

The world is full of good elk cartridges. Looking back, I took my seven bulls with no fuss or muss with:

7mmRM/160 Nosler PT @160 yds.
.30-06/180 Nosler PT @ 30 yds.
7mmRM/160 Nosler PT @ 40 yds.
.338WM/210 Nosler PT @ 280 yds.
.300WM/165 Nosler AB @ 130 yds. (Roosevelt elk).
.300WM/200 Nosler PT @ 180 yds.
7mmRM/140 Barnes TTSX @ 120 yds. (Tule elk).

Take your choice with any of the above. IMO, the list of adequate elk rounds would begin with the .25-06 (barely adequate) and end with the .338 (bordering on overkill). YMMV.

300 ultra good to a 1000 yrds if you are shot placement is everything

The right bullet is more important than caliber. You want a bullet that will penetrate deep and expand. Something like a Barnes TTSX or Hornady GMX. With the right bullet anything from .243 up will work. Just know the limitations of range/energy with any round and keep your shots within those limits....

223

I think the calibers from 270 up through 338 WM have it covered as mentioned above by some folks with real experience so I will only mention the importance of a very stout bullet built for such a tough animal. Nosler Partitions seem to be the benchmark and in that group would be bonded bullets and solid copper.

I personally don't care much for the solid copper as they don't seem to expand much unless bone is hit. Took my 2nd Elk with a 7mm Rem Mag with Barnes 160gr TSX (Barnes factory ammo)at 370 yds bedded down below and quartering away from me. 1st shot entered the back and exited front side just behind the lungs (no expansion)...Elk did not flinch and stood up and began walking. Guide said shoot again, 2nd hit in left rump going through muscle only (no expansion), 3rd shot through spine at shoulders anchored him. We all thought I totally missed the 1st shot since he did not flinch and only verified the hit when the guides began skinning him.

Don't scrimp on the ammo...very cheap considering the total cost of the hunt. If you don't reload, buy several of the premium and see what shoots best and go with it. Another option is to get with Chad (Dallas Reloads) and he can help with selection of a premium bullet and work up a custom load for your rifle.