Blue Moose personally you already have punch just by shooting a .54 caliber projectile. Think in terms of a .530 roundball and its size. Name one 30 caliber modern projectile that even expanded would do better then .530 diameter roundball weighing 230 grains, and that's taking for granted the roundball never expanded any. The modern projectile would have to almost double its size and still retain its mass weight...

WhatI am getting at is, you're already knocking over a half inch diameter hole through the vital organs. So get something that will do a lot of internal damage but still be a large caliber. A roundball for instance will do considerable damage to game. The beauty of them is they do penetrate excellent and they flatten when they hit solid structures, and they can tear and tumble. Most Hawkin rifles are very accurate with roundball. Roundball are deadly.

I am guessing you're not using a scope so you will limit your shots to 100 yards or close to that. Any .54 caliber projectile should do the job. Roundball, maxiball, maxihunter, all of them are going to plow a great big hole through vital organs if you place that right. If it expands that's an added bonus. With that twist I would not even consider modern projectiles. I'd shoot a roundball or maxiball. Which ever of the two you can shoot the most consistant groups at 100 yard with in hunting situations. And I am sure there are those that will disagree.

Leave the modern projectiles to the modern rifles. That Hawkins killed more elk, moose, bear, deer and anything else that got in the way, many years ago shooting roundball or large conicalsthen any of these modern rifles ever dreamed of doing with their hollow points or aero tips....

When I take my elk hunt, I plan on using a .58 caliber Renegade with a 1-70 twist shooting a 284 grain roundball on top of 100 grains of Goex or a Lyman Trade Rifle flintlock in .54 caliber shooting a .530 roundball on top of 90 grains of Goex 2f. I will just make sure to get within 100 yards or I will pass the shot up...

Good luck on your elk hunt it sounds exciting and you sound excited about it.....