Without a brake it will kick like a mule. I sold one this spring and also watched a kid shoot one for a gunsmith and his groups just got bigger and bigger. Recoil. But with a brake no problem if you like brakes.

Big game preformance deer and antelope it will work just fine. Have yet to see one used on a elk. I have seen a few elk downed with a 257 roberts no problems. So I would imagine if a guy took only good shots at elk (which all hunters should do no matter the caliber size) then no problems.