I' ve had one for 16 years. IMO, it' s a hard caliber to beat overall. I shoot handloaded 139 gr hornady' s and it performs extremely well out to 300(which is the farthest I' ve gone with it). I know some folks that shoot elk with theirs, and it works excellent. I' ve only taken deer with mine, but if and when I do go elk hunting, that' s what I' ll be carrying. Good luck!