BigMike,
I think the best target for most people is the heart/lung area. It is the biggest target on the animal which allows for a slightly misplaced shot, and if you hit shoulder bone you help take out some front running gear. If you can get a good neck shot though, it will put the deer down (it works on whitetails, I've never hunted elk). Somewhere in the last year or two I read an article by Larry Weishuhn(sp?) in which he said that the most effective shot (and he has taken a LOT of deer I'm sure) is one straight up the wazoo. The bullet's energy is completely absorbed in the animal's body cavity with no bone to deflect the bullet's path and with devastating effect. The problem is that you have a very small (but well defined
) target, and how often do you get a chance at a straight-away shot on the same level as the deer?
Personally, I opt for a shot low and on the rear edge of the shoulder.
Jack