Congratulations to your wife nice shooting & excellent table fare. Nothing magical or mythical about 1500 foot lbs. We could see thousands of photos taken with an arrow as the killer & plenty of elk killed by 30-30s were under 1500. Not sure of your load but most 7-08 loads carry 1500 out to just shy of 300 yards so your bride can certainly shoot.
Legal limits in Colorado are 1,000 ft lbs at 100 yards, I understand some desire to shoot big animal with a small gun but 7-08 is double the minimum 300 seems a reasonable limit with ideal conditions extending it a little. I have a new granddaughter & 7-08 is likely her first elk rife. The 3 grandsons will all start with downloaded 30-06’s.
