Dave: I will try to keep this as short as possible. I do not shoot magnum loads. First elk was huge cow mid 600 pounds, 348 powerbelt from T/C Scout with 80gr. Goex Clear Shot (crappy powder). Bullet keyholed and went through center of heart sideways and lodged in far side between ribcage and skin aerotip still in bullet. Distance was 80 yards. Next M/L Elk was small bull head shot at 40 yards, T/C Omega 90gr. Black Mag'3 and 300gr. SST. Last one was fair sized cow broadside at 90 yards, T/C Omega 90gr. BM3 300gr. SST, one lung and part of liver, complete pass through, Second shot 90gr. BM3 295gr. Powerbelt aerotip, running shot offhand at 85 yards, double lung (probably more luck than skill but she was already hit so I had to chance it) bullet was complete pass through also. Cow went another 200 yards and was still standing when I head shot her to finish it. Now that I have the T-Bolt I might try a magnum load just to see how it shoots that. I want to get the rifle well sighted in for shots at the 150 yard range. I passed one up at 140 yards ranged last hunt because the Omega is not consistent for me at that range. The T-bolt is going to weigh close to 9 1/2 pounds when scoped so I possibly can take the recoil. I only weigh 155 pounds and have ashattered collar bone and a once broken neck so recoil is not my favorite thing.