Hunting elk in different locations with different terrain makes a big difference to me. Hunting where there’s no large bears vs coming across a large brown bear being likely makes a difference.
On the prairie for instance I’d be looking for a cartridge suitable for a longer range. I wouldn’t be trying to put a bullet through the front shoulders. Placing a bullet in the heart lung area would be fine.
Hunting in thick forest, steep mountains, open prairie, cow vs trophy etc. - different rifles and different cartridges and different bullets - at least for me.
Anything from say a 270 win, various 7mm’s, various 30’s from a 308 to a 300 Mag or maybe a 338 Win Mag. I think I could justify a 375 H&H in certain circumstances.
If a guy hunts the same terrain, 100% of the time, a definite “this is the best or nothing bigger than a xxx is necessary” frame of mind can set in.
