So, as much as I felt the .35 Whelen would be the perfect non-magnum AK hunting rifle caliber, the consideration of ammo availability funneled me back to the venerable .30-06, with most hunting bullet weights ranging from 150gr.(?) to 220gr. it is sufficient for elk and moose within it's limitations with good placement.
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When all is said and done you have to have decent placement for any of them to work.
Hunting bullets for 30-06 (and 308) range from the 125 and some even smaller up to 220 gr (maybe a couple bigger)
30-06 is a standard for Moose, not sure why people feel elk need Magnum.
My step dads father shot em all with a 30-06 (and brown bear)
As noted, you can always get ammo for it and you can always find a wide range of bullets.
Not sure there is a minus other than more powder, used but you also can crank up past 308 velocities.
I continue to chuckle as people used to convert to Akley Improved for a few FPS (some claim none) when all you need to do is stretch it out with modern powders.
Sometimes someone really does it right, and while I do not disagree that the 8mm Mauser started it and is its equal on the high end, nothing has surpassed it in the overall it does and the extreme wide availability.
there is a reasons there are more 30 caliber bullets available by far than any other, 30 caliber turned out to be the perfect overall size.