couple questions: What is long range? 400-500y? or 700-1200y?
what elevation is the hunting going to be at?
are these long hike in, OTC tag, rough country hunts? or private land truck hunts?
any concern about barrel length? 26" barrel no big deal? or a 20-22" mtn rifle barrel is better?
Do you want to be able to buy ammo at store? a store near where you elk hunt? a store in a remote settlement in Alaska? Africa?
here is my set up, i live in the mtns of CO for 25y and only shot one elk twice. the remainder just one shot, DRT or only a short run and drop. try not to yawn: 30-06, 20" barrel, 165g hornady superformance, 2880-2900 fps, 0.45bc, hunt at 10,000 ft so there is a bonus to the ballistics, 2000ft-lb energy at 400y. I have shot 3 elk at 400-450y, the rest shorter. no big deal.
if you want to be able to buy ammo at the store, 300 win mag, if you want a little less kick 280AI, If you want more horsepower 338 win mag, more hp with a shorter barrel 9.3x62, 250g accubond handloads will get 2700fps
338L/340 weatherby are in a different club,
