I'm going to hunt elk this year with my.54 cal Hawkens. I was wondering, what kills an elk... the punch or the penetration of the bullet?

From my experience with archery, penetration is everything. Since I am shooting a sidelock, I know I don't have the power like an inline-ML does. So, should I use a good penetrating bullet or a bullet with alot of punchto it?

I am leaning to the penetration bullet with the thinking that ifI can get that .54 cal bullet to the backside of an elk, thats all the damage that I need to killhim.

I know that a hollow point will cause more damage, if it penetrates enough But, I've had some bad experiences with hollow points in the past (handguns). I just don't trust them to penetrate enough, especially if it hits bone.

Whats the advantages and disadvantages?

Any thoughts or opinions would be great.

Thanks!

Blue Moose CO