have to share my thoughts on this--my favorite round for just that scenario is thefederal vital shok 165 NBT-- have used extensively over thelast6years, did the job on a 45"bull moose at about 275 yards, he went approx. 30 yards then dropped-- I also use that round consistently for whitetails. Heading west this fall for elk and mule deer, decided to bump up to the NP 180 grain-- but I would be very confident also going with thethe 165s.good luck. can't go wrong with either.