the older I get the more pride I take in getting in close and placing a shot exactly,where I want it too hit ,rather than being mostly concerned with just "GETTING and ELK".
Ive taken most of the slightly over two dozen elk Ive killed in the last 45 plus years with a 340wby or 375 H&H, most at well under 150 yards, and while I practice shooting out to 500 yards Ive rarely seen elk out at 250 yards or longer ranges.
just "GETTING and ELK has ceased to mean a great deal to me, but getting a good elk, or helping a friend get a trophy, that I got into close range with before shooting has become more important.
I recently purchased a BLR in 450 marlin and while that might seem a step backwards to some I look back over 45 plus years and can,t think of many chances Ive had that that lever gun would not have handled admirably.
as Ive stated before my late hunting partner used a blr/358 win for decades with zero issues
