I certainly would not hesitate to go elk hunting with a .270, and I really wouldn't give a toot if it were a WSM or not, plain old .270win will do. Is it my first choice?...no. Just as Pharaoh mentions, I take the gunwriters' reviews with a grain of salt, I don't dismiss it, but then again I don't believe everything I read or am told. Remember that these guys don't have to walk after a bad shot, someone else will do that for them while they pose for the photoshoot. I've said this before in a previous thread and took a bit of flack for it, but elk are tough....and no they didn't all of a sudden grow kevlar skin, they are just plain resilient. Most of them live in some pretty rugged country, and they can go long and fast when wounded....thus I like to hit them good and hard with a premium .338WM bullet. Caliber choices are one thing, but they are all subjective to the opportunity that is presented...distance primarily, shot placement etc. For a great many years before the hype of the new calibers (and I don't have a problem with them), I believe that the .270 was probably one of the most popular calibers here in Alberta. It covered pretty well from antelope to elk and everything in between. I hate to admit it though, I have shot many elk in my years, none with a .270 but I could have.
Anyways, for me, the .270 be it WSM or not would be a bare minimum, next would be the 7mags and then the .30 cals. A 25-06...well that's just plain silly although I'm sure it's been done. Having said all of this, I plan to take an elk with my new shiny 336XLR 30-30 this fall, but I will limit my range to 50 yards with a nice broadside shot, anything less than that...it walks.
