Mobuck makes a valid point.
However,, in the quest for handgun hunting seriously large or very dangerous game,, the all copper mono bullets have been proven to do the job. We are talking about handgun hunting here.
Max's books,, along with other info out there about hunting such critters points with the use of the mono bullets points to it being a valid method for those critters.
But again, as a longtime handgun hunter,, I don't really see the necessity for elk or bear.
Here in NC,, we get some pretty big black bears. Heck, locally, I know of 2 taken this past season that topped close to the 700 lb range. (Both had to be gutted in the field to even consider moving them out.) One dressed 585,, and the other one 590,,,and we know of a couple on game cameras as big if not bigger. And,, I hunt with a 45 Colt, using a cast solid, weighing 285 grains. I use the same bullet in my 454 when I want to use it.
I have a 480 solid cast,, that penetrated 16 jugs of water,, and didn't deform much. It'd punch a good hole into anything on the continent. It weighs 400 grns.
But the discussion is about bullets for the 45 cal guns. And again,, from all I've studied,, and what I personally practice,, the copper solids really aren't necessary for elk or bear.