I use empty factory boxes. If I’m being picky I like the boxes from norma bondstrike with the nifty little 5 packs. Holds ammo well and easy to throw in the pack.
Elk neck, shank, shoulder for tacos. Cheated and used beef tallow. Rubbed and smoke a while, braised in tallow, broth, limes, chipotle/tomato sauce, onions and peppers to 200, shredded for tacos.
It’s definitely cured after 12 days. Sliced it super thin. Also smoked a corned beef, found some at Walmart for $1 lb. I piled both on my sandwich, w/ Swiss, kraut, thousand island. It was a dang fine meal.
I have a 5 lb elk top round in the pastrami cure. Going 10 days and then the pepper rub. I have wound up with a little uncured spot in the middle in these bigger ones before…
“I dream someday of actually have to hoist a whole elk out of the truck bed.”
There is almost no reason to ever do this, accept to say you’ve done it.
Also, I’ve done it and will never do it again.