What cartridge would qualify for the best long range bonafide big game cartridge? This would include Elk/Moose but certainly not DG.I would exclude big deer as not "big enough".

Whether a rifleman should attempt to shoot past a specified distance is open to debate.This is subject to variables of climate, cartridge selection, and shooter experience and skill.

What % of hunters should even attempt such long range shots? ?? Probably very few.

That cartridge should have a flat trajectory and plenty of energy at distance. There should not be a "rainbow" trajectory leaving large variance for the impact site of the target at distance.

The 300 mags come to mind but I suggest one even larger--338-378 or maybe a 338 Lapua. A 250 gr projectile with a high BC would be excellent out to 450 yds before large vertical drops in trajectory occur. How about a 378 Weatherby? Big game such as elk etc deserve big bullets.

Any opinions? Is this discussion even relevent to hunting the animals noted?