All things being equal Ill stand behind my statement that a .243 is hands above killing power than a bow. Have you guys shot the premium bullets? Can you kill an elk at 100 yards with your bow? can you shoot thru one shoulder of an elk with a bow? Ill bet you can with a properly loaded .243. I have to tell you, I really cant believe Im having this conversation conserning killing power .243 vs. bow. I mean they arent even close. Theroiticly we could have a contest and see who stacks up the elk, but since I live in the real world Ill continue to stand up on my soap box and preach. Now as far as sheer excite killing anything with a rifle is at least to me, nowwhere near as exciting as killing something with a bow. As far as shooting an elk, yes I have.