what caliber do you all use?

[huntnphool]

While I prefer the 7mm Rem. Mag, Jack O'Connor http://www.jack-oconnor.org seemed to do "okay" with a .270.

[NW SURVEYOR]

Jack O'Conner hunted primarily with a guide chasing undisturbed elk.
He also emphasized shot placement.
I agree that under those conditions the .270 is adequate.

The problem I see is during less than ideal conditions.
I generally get 1 opportunity to shoot an elk during a season.
You take the shot your presented NOW!!
I do not have the luxury that Jack had to wait for the perfect setup.
He could be fairly certain that he would have another opportunity, I do not.

If I have to take a Texas Heart Shot, I NEED penetration.
I want that exit hole to leak like crazy if the elk is spooked and still moving.
We have all shot elk that died real quick, but believe me, the time will come when one will travel, even mortally wounded.
A good blood trail is always nice.

Whatever you choose, be sure you don't error on the side of being under gunned.
With my .338 I don't worry about it.
The same applies to my 7MM Mag, but the .338 gives me a little more confidence.

[Miles]

You sound nervous...  you should probably start hunting with a .50 bmg just in case.

[NW SURVEYOR]

I do sound nervous ,but it's just conviction.
Hopefully I have not talked myself into buying a new rifle.
Miles, thanks for the reality check.
I am saving up to pay for a drop camp in Montana for Deer/Elk.

[Oh Mah]

if your going to Montana you better go ahead and get that .416 Rigby,the elk there wont drop with anything less. 

[NW SURVEYOR]

We got it covered.
.338 for me with the 7mm RM as a back up.
My kid shoots a .280.

[Taco280AI]

I hear with those big magnums you just need to shoot in that general area and the elk will drop 

[Oh Mah]

yes they use the term percussion.with a magnum close enough is just like horse shoes and hand grenades.2-3 feet high or low works anyways. 

[yakimanoob]

7mm-08 for me. 

I am definitely not in the bigger-is-better camp.  I'm in the cheap, high-quality, good ballistics, and I'm-not-a-good-enough-shooter-to-shoot-farther-than-400-yards-anyway-so-what-the-hell-do-I-need-a-magnum-for crowd. 

[Buzz2401]

Putting a 30-06 above a 7mm RM on a elk killer list is just plain wrong and no 308 win. yet a 6.5 creed has me scratching my head of course I do consider Field and Stream a joke of a magazine.

[Scheindogg]

7mm-08 for me. 

I am definitely not in the bigger-is-better camp.  I'm in the cheap, high-quality, good ballistics, and I'm-not-a-good-enough-shooter-to-shoot-farther-than-400-yards-anyway-so-what-the-hell-do-I-need-a-magnum-for crowd.

Lmao this is the reason I'm a .308 guy

[Alchase]

I hear with those big magnums you just need to shoot in that general area and the elk will drop 

Works for grouse, LOL

[Jpmiller]

I hear with those big magnums you just need to shoot in that general area and the elk will drop 

Works for grouse, LOL

I'm half convinced I could walk up to s grouse and grab it to save the shell lol

[JDHasty]

Putting a 30-06 above a 7mm RM on a elk killer list is just plain wrong and no 308 win. yet a 6.5 creed has me scratching my head of course I do consider Field and Stream a joke of a magazine.

An industry insider told me that the magazine editors want you to incorporate the "something new" that few presently own and make it all the rage so that more people will buy a new rifle from their advertisers. They want as many references to this newfangled  caliber "slipped in" even where doing so is a stretch.  It is all about making people want to try what "everyone else" has to see for themselves if the hype lives up to it's claims.

The end goal is to generate a critical mass of "fan boys" and have this take off "organically" and then ride the wave until the whole process starts again with the next "wonder cartridge." 

It also sells magazines to the fan boys because they have to have everything that is in print on the subject just so they don't miss anything.     

   

[Alchase]

I hear with those big magnums you just need to shoot in that general area and the elk will drop 

Works for grouse, LOL

I'm half convinced I could walk up to s grouse and grab it to save the shell lol

Shhhh, don't let the secrect out!