I just threw elk in there. I have never hunted elk, but I have family in colorado and hope to eventually. If I were t hunt elk today I would be using my remington 700 in .30-06. For me that would be good enough for 250 yard shots, maybe more. Elk was just a thought, more like antelope and deer, also possibly coyotes. But I would not want to save any pelts or anything. So damaging the pelts would not be a concern