For elk these days I use a 300 Wby and leave the magic 7 at home. But in 1977 as a teenager I bought mine for the day I could use it hunting elk. The physician who shot at my uncles and who loved guns and hunting and could afford to shoot anything chose the 7 RM as his best tool for the job.
After 30 deer and 1/2 dozen elk it still can put 3 shots in a dime at 100 yards and it just kills stuff from 11 to 500 yards....... but I usually tell new hunters to buy a 30-06.
For deer hunting at longer ranges 300+ yards I don't think you can go wrong with the 7 and they carry it at the local hardware store or Walmart unlike a STW or Weatherby. You certainly don't need one for 140 lb. whitetail does at 85 yards.
But it isn't the hottest newest sexiest caliber like it was when I was a kid.
