It just seems like it, because they can run faster.

UMMM, i totally disagree ,i have also shot one whitetail with a .430 gr conical in Nebraska and it didn't even flinch after being hit with it. i have also seen to many lost elk when people are under gunned. which is why i am so fanatical about using more than enough bullet when hunting them.with elk more is always better..considering muleys poor eye sight and the fact he only has one good one, this is even more of a reason to use the bigger bullet.Ray

Well Ray - no doubt the 430 gr conical will kill an elk. But so will the 54 PRB. I would not hesitate to drop the hammer on the biggest baddest bull out there with an accurate rifle and a PRB.
This almost parallels the argument of the .270 Win vs the .338 Win Mag for elk. Some say the .270 is too light. But again, its been killing elk every year since it came out in I think about 1954.
But we all are entitled to our own opinions. And BTW, ur right 53 aint that young. But I still got a few years on you. So ur still a whippersnapper....

Ray,

I appreciate your concern, but you have nothing to be concerned about. I am overly cautious about taking humane shots on game. That's why my range is at my safe eyesight range, and not the guns max range.

I can shoot a 2" group at 75 yds with open sights. Well within the kill zone. Of course i'll try to get closer, but i'm comfortable at 75 yds.

I've never lost an animal since 1950 when I started hunting with my dad. He hammered into my head to take humane shots. I've done it ever since.

My eye sight has been like it is now since 1999. Have no fear my friend. I won't do anything stupid.

The 270 has lost a lot of elk, including the one i found dead during the bow season in Utah, while there was a special cow elk hunt taking place. problem was the guy who shot it didnt find it, i did 2 days later! my rule of thumb for elk is the following. centerfire rilfes 200 + gr plus bullets,M/L 300 + gr plus bullets. i lived not far from where muley is and hunted ducks in his area and have seen to many lost elk by under gunned hunters..you old timers can shoot whatever you like..

Where did you hunt ducks?

Its not the .270's fault for not killing the elk. Either two are to blame with one standard. A The person did not make a killing shot, he nick the lung etc B He shot thinking it was closer then it was therefore the bullet dropped nickin the lung. It is the hunters fault. I've seen just as many people lose elk using a 30-06 up to a 45-70. Its all about shot placement. My aunt that lives in WYO has shot elk every year and a couple royals that are mounted with a .243 win. Also its about using the right bullet with the caliber. A .243 your going to use a 100 grain, .270 you use a 150 grain bullet, etc. Same way with a muzzleloader. We may all have a 50 cal. but I would using nothing under 300 grains for elk. But alot of the issue of losing game it taking too long of shots then what you and your rifle are capable. Plain and Simple. I don't know how many antelope I see every year with their legs blown up. But this is a never ending battle of what cal is better etc. We will never agree on this. I've just seen it personnaly that a .270 is more than capable of killing elk and so is a .243

So will a .54 cal lead ball. I'd be willing to bet i'll get a pass through, and we know how a lead ball will expand.

Who thinks a .54 ball going through both lungs won't kill an elk?

Go ask that question here.

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/fusionbb.php

About a 100 miles from you in Alamosa, we lived in Durango and my buddy owned the DQ in town. we went all over hunting ducks . he loved his bird hunting. did my elk and deer hunting cross the Animas valley from where i lived on missionary ridge and around Pagosa springs. Ray

Oh ok. I thought something was closer.