I have killed about everything their is to kill elk bear deer coyotes etc all with a 16 inch barrel..... here is the deal, these guns are HEAVY!!!!!! and so the more barrel you add the worse it gets I would not hesitate to shoot a deer or elk at 500 yards and I have killed elk at 376.... one shot kills so don't overload yourself a 16 is all you need, the guys on this forum will tell you I speak with a straight tongue no BS