Like already mentioned I am sure that we only see the "perfect" shots, not the ones that took a step at the shot and wandered over the hill to die, miles later, or where a unseen twig, deflected the bullet. Way back when, there were minimum energy standards recommended for both deer and elk. If my addled old brain recalls them it was 2,000 lbs for elk with a minimum of 1500. Looking at energy charts for some high. BC, 100 gr bullets, I find that the energy listed at 600 yards is less than 2/3 the minimum recommended for elk. This is with a starting velocity of 3600 fps. As you go out farther this declines even greater. Once again, big game are not always static, nor standing in the perfect shooting position while waiting to be shot. There are limbs, wind, and other variables, that are not always seen or considered. Just my .02 after eating an awful lot of elk. My longest measured shot 540, would I take it again, with that particular 300 WM, yes. With my 280 AI, I probably would not.
