I never shot a elk but saying this u want to see what a 50 or 54 will do with a TC Maxi ball try this I did. Fill up 12 one gal. milk jugs full of water back up 25 yards with your gun loaded up with 90 gr in each gun and a Maxi ball. Both should shoot threw the jugs. Powbults will not only goes threw 9 maybe 10 i tried this