Reloading

[BULLBLASTER]

I center punched a bull in the ball socket with my 7 mag at 400 ish yards with a 140 ballistic tip and it grenaded the shoulder. This was on a gut shot bull so I was wanting to just anchor it. Found the bullet in the opposite shoulder.  Don't really need more than that. Especially for a bullet that apparently won't kill elk.  this bull went right down. Though there was pretty good meat loss.
These are elk we are talking about. Not elephants or Cape buffalo. Nor have I ever seen one wearing armor. 

[jasnt]

I hit my 6x7 in the shoulder with a 175 Barnes. Not so much damage. Bullet angled back and missed far shoulder.  Found it under hide and it was in classic x. Both animals(bull and cow) fell like an Old Testament God struck.

I'm not sure you'll get that lucky every time. I've seen a lot of elk shot in the shoulder buy many different kinds of bullets. There is usually substantial damage and lost meat. It will anchor an elk but at a price. Just my 2 cents.

I would never aim for a shoulder of any animal, with any weapon 

[xXLojackXx]

I center punched a bull in the ball socket with my 7 mag at 400 ish yards with a 140 ballistic tip and it grenaded the shoulder. This was on a gut shot bull so I was wanting to just anchor it. Found the bullet in the opposite shoulder.  Don't really need more than that. Especially for a bullet that apparently won't kill elk.  this bull went right down. Though there was pretty good meat loss.
These are elk we are talking about. Not elephants or Cape buffalo. Nor have I ever seen one wearing armor. 

Oh no you didn't 

[BULLBLASTER]

I center punched a bull in the ball socket with my 7 mag at 400 ish yards with a 140 ballistic tip and it grenaded the shoulder. This was on a gut shot bull so I was wanting to just anchor it. Found the bullet in the opposite shoulder.  Don't really need more than that. Especially for a bullet that apparently won't kill elk.  this bull went right down. Though there was pretty good meat loss.
These are elk we are talking about. Not elephants or Cape buffalo. Nor have I ever seen one wearing armor. 

Oh no you didn't 

Got me.    it's a good thing you just had a rifle built to shoot cup and cores. Might as well throw it out since cup and core bullets are no good for elk 

[Stein]

I hit my 6x7 in the shoulder with a 175 Barnes. Not so much damage. Bullet angled back and missed far shoulder.  Found it under hide and it was in classic x. Both animals(bull and cow) fell like an Old Testament God struck.

I'm not sure you'll get that lucky every time. I've seen a lot of elk shot in the shoulder buy many different kinds of bullets. There is usually substantial damage and lost meat. It will anchor an elk but at a price. Just my 2 cents.

I would never aim for a shoulder of any animal, with any weapon 

Everyone has their own do and don't list.  I shoot Barnes as well and they make a nice, clean hole.  If I saw a 6x7 that was only giving me a shoulder shot, I would take it and be glad to give up the 1-2 pounds of meat for the opportunity.  TSX just don't ruin much meat as the exit holes aren't ridiculous.  They also go through bone so overall I have a much better chance of getting a clean hit even if the animal isn't perfectly broadside, I misjudge the wind, elevation, distance or just flat out shoot a bit off where I wanted to.

[grundy53]

I hit my 6x7 in the shoulder with a 175 Barnes. Not so much damage. Bullet angled back and missed far shoulder.  Found it under hide and it was in classic x. Both animals(bull and cow) fell like an Old Testament God struck.

I'm not sure you'll get that lucky every time. I've seen a lot of elk shot in the shoulder buy many different kinds of bullets. There is usually substantial damage and lost meat. It will anchor an elk but at a price. Just my 2 cents.

I would never aim for a shoulder of any animal, with any weapon 

Everyone has their own do and don't list.  I shoot Barnes as well and they make a nice, clean hole.  If I saw a 6x7 that was only giving me a shoulder shot, I would take it and be glad to give up the 1-2 pounds of meat for the opportunity.  TSX just don't ruin much meat as the exit holes aren't ridiculous.  They also go through bone so overall I have a much better chance of getting a clean hit even if the animal isn't perfectly broadside, I misjudge the wind, elevation, distance or just flat out shoot a bit off where I wanted to.

I understand that. I would take a shoulder shot in that situation too. I'm not really against shoulder shots I just think you have to realize that your going to lose some meat. Another thing people have to realize is that when you shoot through a shoulder the bone fragments ruin a lot of meat too. So even if you have the "best" bullet your still going to lose meat.