I am not opposed to carrying small calibers or moderately powered cartridges for elk. I know 243s and 257s have been flawless elk guns in the hands of some hunters, and of course when carried by women and children. I know my dad was a big 6mm guy, but for my kind of elk hunting, I wouldn't have the stones to use one. It has been a rarity that shots have been under 300yds in the open country I hunt, and often the shots are a lot farther. I had to learn to make those shots or go home empty-handed. I wouldn't attempt them with a 257.
I've been trying to find more spots to hunt the timber, where shots are close, and in that case, a handgun, levergun, or smaller cal rifle should work perfectly.
