I currently am using a 45-70 but have taken a few elk with a 40-65 which has a little less recoil and shoots a bit flatter than the 45-70 with 500's. I will be building a 50 of some kind in near future with the hope of someday getting in a buffalo hunt with it. If I was just starting in bpcr rifles I would start with a 45-70 or a 40-65 as they are the easiest to load for and have readily available brass. when shooting game I always use heavy for caliber bullets. I have had great results in the western U.S. with paper patch bullets on both deer and elk.