Hey I'm not knocking LR shooting/hunting and I know what I"m talking about thats why I dont agree with your statements. Theres just a lot better cartridge for the task at hand then the 308 for the ranges your speaking of. I've taken my fair share of deer/elk, probly 75% from 300 to 790 yards but I"ve used a 7 RM, 300 Win, and 300 RUMs to make sure the job is done right, every time. Used 25-06 out to 600 yards on deer with great results as well. I practice from 400 to 1200 yards pretty regularly on 10" and 15" steel plates, so I know all about LR shooting. Been into LR shooting since I was 14, so I know a little bit about it...I know that the 308 is marginal at 1K and 1200 is ludicrous...
A 165g NBT at 2800fps is traveling right at 1500fps at 800 yards. Thats about the lowest you can go with a light jacketed bullet like a NBT or Berger VLD and still get good RELIABLE expansion. Otherwise your going to be shooting pin holes through them like FMJ's and if you dont hit bone, chances aren't good...I guess you can take those chances of losing an animal because your lack of decision to use a better caliber that will retain more FPS and Energy for that range.
I never said a box of factory ammo wasn't $40+. I asked if you've ever heard of hand loading?? It doesn't cost no stinking $40 or $50 a box if you handload, more like $20 at the most using premium bullets and about $15 if you use regular cup and core bullets. Depends on what components you use but it can be a lot cheaper then what your stating. It aint no $2 a round for hand loaded 300 Win mags. Shiiiiiiiit. I can reload 338 EDGE w/300g SMK's for about $1 a round and thats using 25% more powder and bullets that cost $35 per 50. Primers are like $3 a 100, powder is like $20-22 where I"m from, and you can reload each case at least 10 times, not just once. I dont pay tax, I live in Oregon... Case closed.
Ok since you havent shot or even seen elk shot, your pretty much going off no actual experience. I've shot an elk every year since I was 12 which makes 10 elk to date. I've seen probly close to 30-40 other elk shot from my other hunting partners in our camp. Elk are remarkably tough animals, about 10x tougher then deer. I recomend a magnum for elk if you can handle it and shoot it accurately. All the better for you, and not the elk...If one cant handle a magnum the 270, 06, 308 can still get the job done, but they can run a ways...I"ve never had an elk go more then about 30 yards after being hit in the shoulders or behind with any 7 RM, 300 Win or 300 RUM out to 750 yards.
Just remember theres more people on here that know as much or more then you on the subject of LR shooting. Just cuz you were in the military and a sniper dont really mean your the holy grail of LR hunting. Us country boys grew up shooting long before the military taught us how. And its nice to have real world experience when giving advice on such a controversial subject (1 deer at 950 isn't enough data to be reliable)...Have a good one!!!