I shoot uver kill to most people. I have taken many bow hunters elk hunting with some good some bad times.The light carbons are not very good for elk.Last year I helped a guy TRY to get a wonded elk. It was a joke his arrow did not even go though the 1st sholder let alown exet.He may have had 3 in of penitration.
But my wife shoots 55# and kill a elk in les than 20 yards. BUT she shot a short shot and placement was perfict.This is the main deal just as any hunting.

NOW with all that said shoot the hevest arrow you can and the most poundage you can. I shoot a 90# mathews safari and a 550 gr arrow and will jump up more gr when I am hunting.I allso beleave the aluminum arrow is slighty better for 2 reasons.

1 The arrow will beak off in a leg movement. This leaves the head in the viatals to cut more.

2 So far I have not seen a pass thogh on a big elk with carbon.[I know there will be 10 guys post and say they allways get a passtough] This is just what I have saw.I do have 2 guys I hunt with that shoot carbons every year.every year they kill there bull.It seem like guys that come out to montana underestamate the size of elk[most guys I take are 1st timers] I think this is the reason the do not give elk the respect.