Have never really HUNTED Elk but have done quite a bit of Kudu shooting in Africa. My standard for many years load for the 06 has been the 220gr Partition. It shoots particularly well in my gun and doesn't have any real drawbacks I can see. The advantage is great in Africa more so than here in the US but I wonder why heavier bullets are not used more here in the states. It has been my habit for many years to load the heaviest for caliber load. I have no real reason for it I just do it for big and small calibers alike.