Placement cannot be overrated.
Speaking of caliber and placement, obviously lots of calibers can work on elk (have used several), but placement is another story.
Check out
Bad Idea part two. Anatomic measurements of a winter kill. under Elk Hunting to bone up on your elk anatomy (so to speak
)
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth..._Idea_part_two._Anatomic_me#Post10949684