The problem is that they took a neck shot at close range with a premium bullet. It is just common sense that they would poke a small hole throught the elk if the miss the spine. There is not enought resistance to expand the bullet.
<br>
<br>If they took a body shot at the heart/lung area the bullet would have had more resistance to expand against and should have done a lot more damage. The only question would be whether they got enough penetration to reach the vitals.



[Linked Image from ]