taz4570 you are so right that bigger doesn't mean better. However, it doesn't hurt anything especially with elk! I'll be sure to keep practicing, I already shoot only high quality bullets, I'll still take careful shots from reasonable range, and I don't worry about bloodshot shoulders since I aim to shoot through ribs to reach the heart. On top of all that, now I'll be carrying very durable stainless rifle that is lighter and more powerful than my trusty .30-06. What's not to like?
My thinking these days is I have to juggle a lot of things to hunt elk so if I shoot one I don't want it to light out on me downhill. I don't reckon that belted .338 will be a liability as long as I don't take it as an invitation to shoot too far.
