My elk hunting has been off and on over the years. I'm presently in my early 80's and plan on hunting this year. I did get a spike only tag for what may be my last hunt and it's for a unit in N.E. Oregon. My first elk hunt was in the 50's and was for a unit on the Oregon coast. I was carrying a Marlin .35 Remington loaded with factory 200 gr. soft points. I was successful and got a spike bull!. Other hunters in the group had .303 SMLE's and other rifles from lever actions to other surplus arms
It wasn't until years later that I resumed elk hunting. I used a sporterized Model 1903 Springfield 30-06 and was fairly successful with 180 gr. handloads. Later on later on I purchased a Remington Model 700 in Remington 7mm mag and developed a Nosler Partition load of 175 gr. which was accurate and deadly. I have been living in the eastern part of Oregon. I have found the 30-06 and the Rem. 7 Mag to be entirely adequate.
