I am struggling with using an AI bull for the exact reason. There's a bull that I love his phenotype. But, he is a CE bull with pizz poor growth. "I" would never use him for CE because like you, I want calves to grow. Drinks don't make anybody any money.
But, I have some whales that it wouldn't hurt to tone down their weight. I mean, my 2 year olds...60 days after weaning their calves, with great pastures have really put on weight and look good. (Well, to be honest, they never really lost any condition raising their first calf). But, their average weight on 10/27 was 1564#. That used to be my avg wt of my cowherd at this time of year!
I think I'm talking myself into using him on my 1800# + cows.