The real test of an elk bullet is up close and on bone. Too many people ponder bullet performance at 400 yds, and spend waaaay too much time agonizing over BC.
It really depends on where and how you hunt, as well as on the cartridge you hunt with. Hunting prairie elk requires different bullet considerations than hunting elk in the dark timber. I've hunted elk where the bullet is more likely to "fail" due to getting pushed around by the wind too much or impacting too slow to expand, and I've also hunted elk where the bullet is more likely to fail by not penetrating deep enough on up-close, angling shots including bone. A .45-70 penetrates just fine up close without relying on premium bullets, but I'm in TTSX or LRX mode if carrying a .243" rifle elk or moose hunting.
