I agree Elk are one of the toughest in NA Big Game animals. However the past 5 years I have taken 5 elk all of which no more than one shot was fired to collecteach Elk. 4 were taken with a 7mm rem mag using 3 - 160 Nosler gr pills and 1 - 140 gr Barnes. The other elk was taken with a bow. Now not one animal toppled at the shot but equally none travelled much more than 100 yards after having their lungs deflated either. This in no way makes them any less tough but with the proper equipment,sticking to your ability/limitationsand placing the bullet in the lungs...I don't think an elk requires more than 1 good poke! Hey, just my 2 cents worth, so take it or leave it!