The real problem these days is everyone shooting beyond the capability of certain cartridges. Yes a 243, 257 Roberts or 25-06 will take elk cleanly #1, when the bullet is placed in the vitals and #2, within its range to make said bullet perform and function properly. I've killed elk with my 25-06 and 120 grain Nosler Partition without issue out to 400 yds. But I have that cap on it and have passed on shots 500+ yds. Stay disciplined. Get closer. If you can't, try again tomorrow or buy a bigger gun. We owe it to the animals to stick to our principles and limitations of our equipment. They aren't gonna roll over and die I promise. The will to live and escape are beyond our comprehension. Unless you've been in certain situations, at war or on the battlefield, this will to live never crosses our minds. So always remember your limiting factor out there. Is it your shooting skills, your rifle, your bullet etc...You can kill elk with a 22 long rifle if you had to. Just have to know our limitations and stick to them.