Bubba'd Mausers are still fairly popular up here with the 196 gr PPU ammo being the most common factory loading due to price and availability. The PPU has a good reputation on deer but the use on larger game in these parts is limited due to black bears being the only other option and that is mostly on a draw basis.
I know first hand of two bears being shot with the PPU loads and the load worked well. There was a good sized exit which allowed for a good blood trail for follow up. That is important for recovery with fall bears as fat and hide often clogs and sops up the blood making for tough follow up, particularly in the dark. The "test" is lacking in numbers and is ongoing as neither bear was overly large. One was the typical 180 pound animal and the other was a little bigger at maybe 250. From this limited observation I wouldn't doubt the 196 gr PPU load would work as well on elk as a similar load from a 308 or 30/06.
