The comment about elk being tough to kill, and the .270 needing a perfect broadside shot are interesting. I started my hunting career with a .270 and truth be told if I never used anything else, it would likely have not made any difference other than saving a great many thousands of dollars in custom rifles, reloading, scopes, etc. My first dozen elk were with a .270 and it worked perfectly.
While I have both a .300 and a .338, I have killed more elk with a puny little .308 than anything else. If you can shoot precisely, it is all you need quite often. The only thing the .300 offers me is an extended range which is certainly a feature I will take advantage of at times. December hunts tend to be longer range affairs and the added velocity is welcomed when the shot is an extended one. However, when the shots are in the 400 and under range and the winds are calm, I see no need for a magnum cartridge at all.
