Personally I don't try to break the shoulders on any animal unless it's the only shot available. I much prefer to put a bullet right behind the shoulder regardless of what cartridge I am shooting. A bullet that hits right behind the shoulder, either broadside or quartering away, will 99.99% of the time take out both lungs and sometimes the heart too. Very rarely will and elk or any other animal run more than about 50 yards or so when both lungs have a bullet hole through them.
Some people intentionally shoot to break the shoulder of an elk because they say it puts them down right there on the spot. I say that that will not necessarily put them down right there and you end up with blood shot meat that could have been used for sausage or burger.[:'(] I have seen a number of different animals that have a broken shoulder run for a
very long distance.
If you do prefer to break a shoulder the 7mm stw will certainly do it.
Here's where I would aim on an elk.
