I've hunted with the same A-bolt in 30-06 with a Luepold 3x9 for over 20 years.

It has knocked down every animal I have fired it at, including three elk here in Colorado over the past four years.

From my perspective, the priorities elk hunters should try to focus on are shot placement, cardio conditioning (while breathing through a straw in your mouth),shot placement, good boots, shot placement, hydration, shot placement, scouting potential honey holes with google earth, shot placement, remembering to snag the coordinates of where you left your truck, shot placement, and remembering your elk jerky.

Did I mention shot placement is also important?