Knew of a fellow who resided in Colorado with torn Right side rotator cuff. 1-surgery later and a long recovery period he became self assured he was no longer able to shoot even one shot of the following without suffering a intolerable amount of soreness: 06_ 30 & 25 cals including 30 & 7mm-08. His favored 340 Weatherby had put him out of work on more than one occasion simply targeting paper w/ slip on recoil pad.
Soon believing his Elk hunting days had come to a end.
A expected relative whom came to visit one summer
That fellow brought along not only his wife and numerous kids. But also a cased rifle he thought his Hunting partner could tolerate w-o/a spongy recoil pad & yet be powerful enough to drop a Bull at close range. And that's exactly what happen that elk season. A respectable 3 yr old Bull called in ~so~so (causes close) succumbed to two shots from a borrowed 257 Roberts.
"It pays to have shooting experience & patience when afield its been said."
No specialty ammo or bullets just a well placed first shot tipped with a Nosler Partition and a follow-up got the job done.
Last time I Text the Colorado resident was about 10 years ago. At that time he had commented he bought a new 257 decked it out with better than just average glass> {Leupold Vari X 3} and been pleased for the most part year after year since that first 257s hunting. I think but not sure? His Weatherby ended up a career being a safe queen than sold.
During one of our discussion concerning a problem I was having with my Chevy. Our small talk got around to: I had mentioned earlier the 257 might be a bit on the marginal side for Elk duty. He thought the same but wanted to give it try. Good thing he did. ~~~Water under the bridge now.