Rifleman55 is right on with that. I know am outfitter in WY that will use nothing else for elk other than his Ruger #1 .25-06. And he has killed a lot more elk than I have. I have a XL7 .25-06 and love it.The 117 gr Hornady BTSP is deadly and so is the 100 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. Deer and hogs are DRT just as fast as with my magnums with good shot placement.