IS: IME it isn't all that unusual to bang an elk trhough the ribs into the chest and have it show little reaction...especially since we are likely coming out of recoil and the elk may be a good distance away.
We know they are big, phlegmatic animals and don't always react to soft tissues hits. This kind of behavior leads lots of people to go to a bigger rifle and heavier bullet.....which I guess sort of works but not always IME.
One fellow I hunted with said he liked a 300 Weatherby or 338 because the elk "react" more to the shot than they do with a 270 or 30/06 and in some cases maybe this is true...anyway I have seen it sometimes from 300 mags and 338,340 etc.
OTOH I have seen them hit with bullets from those cartridges with about as much reaction as a 270 or 30/06...and if they are aware of you and scared they become like truck tires IME
