Just a note to H&H: I am not sure it really matters where you hit an elk with a 405 gr 45-70 from Buffalo Bore, just like Texas hog at under 100', it goes right on through. Buffalo Bore ain't cheap but they do seem to be final.
I enjoyed my 270 back in the day but i'm now a 7mm-08 owner and if this lady can kill 2 hogs with one shot of a 7mm-08 then i couldn't think an ELK is any thicker skinned then 2 boars..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAirkHM_i20
If you can't kill an elk with a 270 from 250 yards having a larger rifle caliber isn't going to help
if you want to try to think of every possible way the shot could be taken one could justify a 20mm cannonA .270 win will kill elk just fine. In fact I killed my first 3 or 4 elk with a .270. The secret is to have perfect shot presentation and keep your range realistic.
What you gain with a larger heavier bullet say a .338/ 250 gr or a .375. 270 gr or some such, is increased shot opportunity. I can take a rear quartering shot with one of the rounds above mentioned and never have to worry if my bullet is going to penetrate deep enough to get to the goods.
I've killed a number of elk that were busting out of the timber at closeish range (under 200 yards) as they were headed away. You simply don't take a shot like that with a .270 or a .30-06 or a 7MM on elk. I won't take that shot with a .300 mag either unless I'm shooting a heavy super good bullet like a 200 ge TSX or something like that even then it's marginal. When you step up to a .338 with a 250 gr premium bullet you increase your margins significantly. A .375H&H with a .270 is just a about the same category as the .338 with a 250.
So by definition is a .270 win adequate for elk? Yes, but not in all circumstances. BTW IMO opinion the 7 RM is one of the worst elk rounds ever built. Not that there is anything wrong with a 7 Remington Mag but a lot of the guys who use them think they are long range death bolt on elk. They are not anymore effective on elk at long range than are your .270 .30-06 class round in real life field conditions that is. On paper they do appear better but not that much better if actually know what you are looking at.
It all boils down to knowing the limitations of the your rifle and sticking to them.
I know its a different class but the 1 elk I have taken was quartering away and I took it with a 45/70. 60ish yards from a 1895G DRT.
In my opinion, be it elk, deer, triceratops, whatever, the decline of hunting skills and shooting ability has brought on the "need" for bigger, farther shooting cartridges.
Maybe it's just a product of being in Arkansas, but most people I know of with those big guns have never taken a shot over 200-250 yards.
Since I see Mr Bell's name mentioned here, what calibers did he use to kill all of those elephants?
In my opinion, be it elk, deer, triceratops, whatever, the decline of hunting skills and shooting ability has brought on the "need" for bigger, farther shooting cartridges.
However, I realize that if the range is 300 yds+ that the magnums do offer an advantage in that they are flatter shooting, thus decreasing the estimation of holdover from the equation.
Many folks will suggest that you use a heavier round in fact some guides and outfitters will require it. The Mescalero Apache reservation has a .30 cal Minimum on elk hunts. But I haven't seen many "know it all's" on this site that demand that you use more gun. Folks just like to share information based on their unique experiences or in some cases unique fantasies(it is the internet after all). I enjoy these kinds of conversations because I like to see what makes other hunters tick.Elk steaks while the know it all's on the internets tell you that you need more gun.
Anybody who makes the Bell quote also needs to read Taylor and Stewart who both mention how many times Mr. Bell wound up running for his life or loosing bulls after wounding elephants and not being able to make a stopping shot on a fast retreating wounded bull with his puny caliber choice.Since I see Mr Bell's name mentioned here, what calibers did he use to kill all of those elephants?
Shoot what you want to shoot and let everyone else do the same. It's their money and their shoulder.