It's hard to tell if it was a spine shot or high shoulder. It was a great shot even though it didn't land right behind the shoulder. It's not often you watch a hunting video with shots long enough to watch the vapor trail. If I was in elk country and someone said come on lets go elk hunting and all I had was a 243 I wouldn't turn down the opportunity. That said If I was planning an elk hunt I would plan to take something bigger. They are definetly not armor plated but they aren't coyotes either.