My favorite elk load in the 30-06 is one I got from an article by Col. Boddington (regarding his favorite 30-06 loads), which is a 180 grain Nosler Partition over 56 grains of IMR 4350. This is a little over max (as stated in the article), but delivers 2800 fps in most 24" barrels. In mine (well, technically my wife's as she stole it a long time ago, but I still get to use it when she's not hunting), a Winchester Model 70 Sporter LT, it averages 2810 fps and groups at 1/2 to 5/8 inches at 100 yards. Only have shot one cow elk with this load though, 150'ish yards, through the lungs, went right down.
Good luck choosing!
stan
