I've not seen the article you're referring to but I understand where you're coming from. It is a questionable shot for ones with little to no first hand experience with it. You say the article mentions a 12" window on the frontal shot, there may be some validity to that thought but the point of impact would change as the angle would change. As an elk would quarter to your right or your left the impact would do this as well.

I personally like a cut on contact head best for shots as this as they have superior penetration capabilities.

ElkNut1