'06.

Elk under 400 yards... 7mm08.

3 friends on an elk hunt in CO 2 carried 300WBY mags one a 257WBY mag. The only elk killed with one shot was with the 257. Put a good bullet from enough gun within its effective range where it belongs and get ready for pictures, put a bullet or 3 in the wrong place get that adrenalin up in a bull elk, get ready for a tracking job they can go a long way.

Carry what you like, there are lots of calibers that will work on elk. Big I only good if the hunter can shoot it well. For many that is 308 or 30-06 level while others seem to never notice recoil. A light weight good handling rifle that the hunter can shoot well in 270 and up makes good elk rifle. Key that they shoot well.

Agreed, doesn't have to leave a hole the size of a basketball, just get to the vitals.

I think a lot of guides & outfitters recommend you to bring a 30 caliber for Elk but I doubt it's a state requirement.

Wisdom

300 norma magnum for best long range shooting caliber in 30....not sure about 230 berger hybrids effectiveness on game

The 230 works fine for me on game in my 300 RUM.

Caliber debate solved!

I have all three of the major .30's-308,30-06 and 300WM. If I had to pick one to do what you want it is the 30-06. More choices for over the counter ammo is available. With you asking the question I would think you do not reload. As far as recoil an 06 isn't much more than a 308. Just a great and well proven round.

Out of your two options I would go .308, mainly because I always prefer short action calibers.

If I were picking a long action 30 cal I would go with the .300 Win Mag over the 30-06.

* I have never shot an elk, or even elk hunted.

If I was picking between the two for an elk specific cartridge I would choose the 30-06. That said I bought a 300 wby when I was in college for an elk hunt we were supposed to do when I graduated that we never got around to and now a few years down the road, im not sure if I would take it or my 270 win.

The both of them are big enough, so long as you do your part I doubt you or the elk will know much difference.

Between 308 and 30-06, I'd take the 30-06.

Despite what 308 fans will tell you, yes a bit of extra power can definitely make a crucial difference when larger and tougher animals are hunted.

If you are considering lending the gun to a 308 shooter at some point, you can always buy some reduced power loads so that they will feel at home with it.

A 30-30 will take an elk cleanly under the right circumstances, but elk are inconsiderate animals that will not always pose broadside at fifty yards for you. For the more difficult shots that tend to come up at times, a little extra velocity will do no harm.

The considerate thing to do, both for yourself and for the elk, is to carry enough gun.

Thought you were referencing me for a second but I'm only 56 but currently work behind the Gun Counter at Cabela's. My one and only elk was taken with a .270. I have a 30-06 and if ever go elk hunting again I'll take .... my .270. I've been shooting it for 43 years and I'm comfortable with it. It also shoots right under MOA with Corelokts unless I shoot on one of those days when I've been trying to quit sniffing airplane glue for a week.

Being that I do sell firearms for a living the 30-06/.308 question is posed to me by customers quite often. I tell them there is an old saying that the .270, the .308 and the 30-06 will all do the same thing. If you own a .308 then you don't need a .270 or a 30-06, and so on and so on. IMO there is much truth to that statement. If push comes to shove I do believe the 30-06 is the most versatile of the three since you can load bullets from down around 130 grains up to 220 grains.

Getting off subject but it surprises me the number of people I wait on that come in to buy a rifle for their first elk hunt, and the only rifle they've ever shot is a .22, it is Wednesday and they are leaving town Friday. Does it really matter then what rifle they buy.

To the poster I quoted. We have 28 people selling firearms and scopes where I work. We have our share of idiots, I bet my department has the same percentage of idiots as most departments in most companies. I do think people selling firearms should be held to a higher standard though because of the potential for death or injury when incorrect facts are given.

What does happen the most is not the idiot on the sales side of the counter but the idiot friend or idiot stranger(who insists on sharing his expertise with anyone who will listen) on the buying side of the counter giving bad and sometimes dangerous advice.

30-06. Everything the 308 will do the 30-06 does better.

308, 30-06 and 300 mag will all take an elk down without issue. Shot placement is just as important if not more than the caliber the 30
caliber choices cited. Most opinions, not all, on the forums is biased to what caliber the advice giver is offering up. Availability is not such an issue with the three bullet choices I cite unless you have forgotten your ammo and find yourself frantically looking for some at the start of your hunt. On any large game hunt, I suggest having a back up rifle. My personal choice is my 308 as primary and my 270 as a backup. Yes, you can take down an elk with a 270.

But this wouldn't be THF if the 7-08 wasn't mentioned at least a dozen times.

I started off with a 30-06 when I was young. Changed over to 308 years latter and have never looked back. It does a great job out to the ranges
you mentioned and more.