If your looking at factory loads you' ve got mainly 150s,165s, and 180s. If you reload your selection is quite a bit larger. I haven' t had a chance to hunt elk yet, but when I do I will probably use a heavier round. I know people do use .308s for elk though. With the light recoil they are probably good for ladies or kids. As far as deer sized game are concerned, it' s pretty tough to beat a .308. I imagine it would to a number on a coyote as well.