I think the issue has more to do with the shooter than the cartridge. A larger caliber gives the options not to wait for a perfect vital shot. An old 06 will break shoulders, expand and penatrate violently. After spending 6 days in the woods and seeing nothing, then out of the shadows an elk appears. That wiggle room is vital. If the shooter is willing to stare at the front of an elk and not take a shot just because they wanted to hunt an elk with a 243, then fine. I would carry a 35 Whelen because those critters are just to tasty.
