My feeling is if your not going to step up to a 300 Magnum (I use 200 grain bullets in a 300 Weatherby) you should go bigger and slower with a 358 Winchester (Like my teenagers used) or a 338 RCM (Which I use with 225 grain bullets because it comes in such a handy gun) or their ilk.
I am fortunate to hunt elk often with a tribe of native Americans, the young guys with 270s 30-06s and 7mm Rem Magnums are always surprised how little tracking I do after the shot. That is the value of the right choice,
I will say while its your decision, if your asking an internet forum how sure are you of your choice? I think you would be better off with a 30-06.
I would never let my kids hunt elk with that kind of poor choice in cartridges, even if it was a cow hunt.
