Just about any bullet in a .06 approaching 200 grains will kill elk. Can't figure out why partitions are too expensive and yet the Barnes is thrown in there.
I have several more year than 40 hunting elk and quite a few more elk killed. A 180 gr bullet of Sierra, Hornady, Speer will do the job although my preference is 220gr round nose in thick timber and close shots. IMHO, all these specialty bullets came into being when the magnumitus craze hit the country and hunters finally figure out that cup and core bullets did not hold up well at magnum velocities or hunters fell for the fallacy that all elk were shot at 600 + yards.
Realizing any cartridge's limitations the lowly 30-30 with a 170 gr C&C bullet will kill and elk just as fast as 300WM. I have successfully killed more than few elk using a 50 caliber muzzle loader with a modest charge of black powder.
Pick a bullet of 180 grains or better that your rifle and you shoot well, quit over thinking it, go elk hunting, and put the bullet in the correct place.
Taking the sensible approach. As for partitions being overpriced. For the last 3 years, they have been price gouging the hell out of us, and some of us have said F them. $80+/box of bullets is overpriced. They lost a lot of good customers because of this. As for Barnes, they have not missed a beat. Their prices were always in line with what partitions cost, and they are still in the $4x.xx/box realm. I buy them much cheaper, but I find the deals. The last ones cost me $19.95/box.
I also know good ol Hornady interlocks work on elk, just load heavy for cartridge and you'll be golden. Like you said, put the bullet in the right spot.
Hell, I bought some old Barnes the other day, for $15/box, that would work in a pinch. They are the 250gr originals. The nice thing about the 30-06 is its flexibility. Use a 150gr monometal, up to a 250gr cup and core, and you'll be just fine. I'd also start with a 180gr, if using a C&C bullet. The old Winchester power points worked well too, if you can find them.
There are so many good choices, especially if you get out and look..
