When chasing after elk.
When in doubt always go with the larger caliber. But, know the limits of the load your using.

I don't know the terrain your hunting or your experience with these big forest monarchs.
The 270win in the hands of an experienced hunter, using 140gr premium bullets or larger, is a deadly load.

Make the wise decision.

Still hunter, Here's what I have learned shooting a 270, been shooting one for 30 years. I have killed elk, but mind you they were cow's out to a hundered yrds the bullet will not go thru I have recovered all of them they did what it was supossed to do kill the aniamal, I used 130 boattail a little small but effective if put in the right spot. Even tho I did hit the lung area the animal still traveled about 25yrds before falling down, I have scince bought a 300wim mag used it on one elk so far she did the same thing but the bullet went clean thru. As fuzzy said it depends on the shooter. I don't recommend using the 130 gr. has i did, would go larger.

Sounds like you have been using the 30-06 regularly in years past. Personally that is what I'd stick with.

Good Luck!

I would definately go with the 30-06 if you can get at least a 2" group at 100 yards.

Hey StillHunter, how has the Tasco held up for you? I realize that is not the original question, but just curious....

It has held up just fine. It's not the best scope I have looked through, but it was within budget when I got it years ago, and the magnification is just perfect for hunting deer around here, so I have never needed to change it. I would like to get something a little better, but it is hard to justify spending $300-500 when this one works just fine.

If you feel confident that you can hit a pie plate at 300 yds with the 30-06 I'd go with that. If you can't fool around with some loads to get there. To answer you're question I do feel that the larger caliber is worth a "small" loss in accuracy.

Although the kill zone on an elk is larger than that of a deer, it is my opinion that one should concentrate on keeping their shots inside an 8-10 circle, from natural hunting positions, out to the range at which they can no longer do this. I can place shots 2 inches apart out to 300 yards when firing from the sitting postion, but such long range shooting at game makes me nervous.

30-06 would be the best for elk.

Go for the 30-06 and with the right bullet, you can get 300 Win Mag performance.

Example:

30-06 Winchester Premium 180-gr. BONDED AccuBond will have higher velocity / energy than their standard 300 Win Mag 180-gr. Power Point load at about 250 yards.

This is because the 30-06 AccuBond is more aerodynamic than the Super X Power Point and negates the 250 fps advantage of the 300 Win Mag at ranges most big game are shot.