gbp,
Judging by your scope, I would say you shot that elk from a long way off. The word I get is that the 162 A-Max needs to hit at 2500 fps or less. I use a light load of 4064 around 45,000 CUP (which is listed as book max load due to old military rifles) to keep my velocity at 2500 fps in case I scare up a close shot.
Finishing up my coffee right now, then heading out to brother-in-law's ranch at elevation 4400 feet, broken high prairie, for a shot at a mule deer with a 7mm 162 A-Max....or a 140 GameKing if I get within 200 yards. Used a .308 150 Ballistic Tip last year in my FAL, and a nice buck walked up to me in a draw, and he got neck shot above shoulder at 50 yards. BT exploded, deflected, and ruined alot of the near shoulder meat. DRT. Was expecting most shots to be over 200 yards. Ordered some Nosler 165 Accubonds for the FAL, they should hold up and exit next time, but the FAL is my brush/woods rifle.
Hunt last year took 2 hours. 2 deer taken same day. Both close, other deer was really messed up, quartering shot. Late season Montana hunting sees most game driven to private land, and BIL knows where they hang out. BIL will be using his .30-06 with those 150 BT bullets. Expecting DRT and some meat loss and hunt over before noon.