I would not hesitate to shoot an Elk with my S&W 657 shooting the 265gr Cast Performance bullets. 100 yards would be my absolute max range tho. I have shot whitetails with 210 grain JHP but they would be too light for larger game. And with a revolver you would have the ability to keep applying lead at a high rate of speed if needed. Let us not forget about the huge bull moose that was taken with the 45LC on the front page of this site. You can do it..