[M.T. Pockets]

Brithunter, nothing wrong with a .280 for hunting elk with the right bullets and right conditions. With that said, a .30 cal. magnum in the right hands is a superior elk round. Also, if you can shoot a .280 well there is no reason you can't shoot a .30 cal. magnum well with some practice. Under ideal conditions there might not be much difference, but in actual field conditions where a bullet must travel 300 - 400 yards to reach the animal - or more likely it must break a shoulder before entering the heart/lung area, the extra energy of a .30 cal magnum does make it a more effective and efficient elk round.

I'm sure many, many elk are killed each year with a .280 and I would hunt with one, but would prefer a .30 magnum. If you're hunting hard for 6 days in prime elk country you may only get one opportunity and if it should be a 400 yard standing broadside shot or a quartering shot in the timber, a .30 cal. magnum with premium bullets is going to give the hunter an advantage.

I think a .280 is a contender for the best all around deer rifle there is. A bull elk is about 4 times bigger than an average deer and a step up in power is going to be to the hunter's advantage.