most popular caliber for mule deer and elk

[TennVol]

People that don't belive that there is too much gun for deer and antelope need to go spend some time at a wild game processor. I can tell you that after spending a couple hours with my butcher this year the amount of waste from too big a gun and/or poor shots was phenominal. On average 30-40% of havested meat from deer and antelope was thrown out.

Some animals the entire hind quarters were tossed. Others front half's were tossed.

Who in the hell shoots animals so that "entire hind quarters were tossed".
WTFO???

I shoot a .300 WSM (180 gr Winchester Supreme Silvertip) and last year I shot a pretty decent sized cow elk with a high shoulder shot that put her down on the spot. The bullet went through both shoulder blades and exited. I reckon I "lost" a piece of meat about the size of my fist. On the other hand, she died on the spot and there was zero tracking involved.

If someone puts multiple rounds of a large caliber in the wrong place on an animal, I'm sure they are going to lose meat. IMHO, those idiots need to learn to shoot better, or not be out hunting.

I still stand by my belief there is no such thing as too much gun for your chosen quarry. Having said that, you really need to be able to shoot worth a damn so you don't empty your magazine several times trying to put your animal down!

It really shouldn't take more than one or two well-placed shots to put down any North American game animal.

[cowboykjohnson]

It really shouldn't take more than one or two well-placed shots to put down any North American game animal.

True but it took 6 well placed shots from a .300win mag shooting 220gr Barnes bullets for my pops to put down a pissed charging moose in Canada. All 6 hit lungs and heart... and it finally gave up the ghost about 5 yards from him. He still carries one of the bullets on his keychain from over 30 years ago. I've seen elk go through a lot and not want to give up but that is impressive.

[Colorado Osprey]

It really shouldn't take more than one or two well-placed shots to put down any North American game animal.

True, but the reality is that is not the case.
Most animals brought in for processing had on average 2 shots, many more than 2; a very few only had one. (you can always tell the real shooters from the animals brought in)

[cojab]

Not sure if you meant one caliber for both or a caliber for each. If it was one caliber for both I think I would take my 30-06. Otherwise for elk I always pick my 7mm. For deer I always pick up my 25-06. I absolutely love that rifle and caliber. I love my 30-30 for deer also just cause lever actions are so cool but I sometimes have a little longer shot that I just wouldnt feel comfortable with the 30-30. Although the Hornady lever action ammo has changed that up a bit. Couldn't realy comment on bear as I havn't hunted them yet.