precision shooter said:I've been told by a few "just get a 30-06". That option isn't off the table, but I tend to like short action cartridges. I hand load so ammo availability/cost doesn't concern me.
If you want a short action cartridge get a .308 Win instead of a .30-06, it'll do just fine. Mark is right, put a good quality bullet and it'll kill an elk. That's far more important than paper ballistics.