Buckshot
You are right but dose the avrage hunter go though all the steps you did to make sure? I would bet my gun that you are way above what most people would go tough to see if there gun will do the job right.I am talking about the avrage hunter that buys wallmart shells.I beleve any one that dose this should use a .308 or bigger.One of the best rifle hunters I know uses a 257 roberts and has for many years.But he allso reloads his own bullets and knows his gun inside and out. He to will say the avrage hunter should use a .308 or bigger.Some of the elk hunters are above the avrage.
I do not think I will kill an elk agin with a gun :} my bow needs the kills.I allso shoot a way over the normal in bows allso. Mathews safari 90# 480 grain arrow,29 in draw.

Not being a but head. Have you killed any elk buckshot?