I shot my first elk with a .22-.250 because no one told me it couldn't be done :shock: Dropped like a stone first shot.
Since then I have shot many with my .30-06, usually 180 grain. Last elk I shot at 286 yds with a 7mm.08 and it did the job just fine.
Accuracy is a far bigger part of the equation than is ft. lbs. of energy.