While the 308 with good placement will certainly work and has for many here if your friend is looking for an excuse to buy a new rifle there is no better excuse than an elk hunt. Any flavor 300 magnum with a good 180 grain bullet extends the effective range another 150+ yards and opens up lots more angles. New Tikka or Vanguard with a Burris FF2 4.5-14 and his sub $1000 elk rifle will be ready to get lots of practice before the trip.
