Because so many hunters think elk won't die unless they're shot with a .300 or .338 magnum. Or they've heard that from somebody....
I’m always astonished how many locals - often native Montanan’s - are so-armed. I suppose it’s a group-think/peer-pressure/testosterone-laden type of thing. Of course, even locals can have very little experience killing elk, and are susceptible to the common idea - spread via various media - that a magnum is a requirement for killing elk.
I have a friend that grew up in Helena, and had good opportunity to hunt elk. As a teen, in his and various other relatives hands, his 7mm-08 took over a dozen elk. Somehow though, in his twenties, he felt certain he needed a 300 RUM. He does, however, drive a big jacked-up 3/4 ton truck. I asked him if he’d ever had trouble killing elk with his 7-08, and he replied “never.”
Go figure...
