If you live in Elk country and can afford to be patient and wait for your shot, then lots of calibers will work. If your traveling and have limited time frame, I’d want something that I’d be comfortable with to take the shot that may not be exactly the angle I wanted. For me that starts with the 30-06. 270, 280, 7mm REM Mag would all fill that role as well. I don’t think you “need” a big gun, but there’s no denying that they work. I’ve used a a 270 and 338 Win Mag. For me, there was a big difference between the 2. I personally doubt I’d use a 270 again. Yet I know folks who use them every year and take their Elk. I’d prefer a 30-06 though.
