mule deer: Make up your mind (if you can?) is the 7m/m Remington Magnum an "honest Elk Rifle" or not - like the original poster asked. The Elk I have kill't with my 7m/m Remington Magnum have all been one shot kills by the way. Nothing you have burped up dissuades my opinion or experiences ONE iota! The 7m/m Remington Magnum is ONE of the choices the original poster inquired about and I wholeheartedly endorse use of this caliber - based on MY and my many Hunting partners experiences. I absolutely DID NOT in any way shape or form infer that the 7m/m Remington Magnum "is the only answer" your inference I did is, well short sighted and stupid. Long live the 7m/m Remington Magnum! Sheesh. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy