.243 for elk? d

D

d_myers57

New member
My dad is getting a new rifle for his b-day. Probably will get a model 700 rem. Mainly used for coyotes. If 243 is good for elk he would just get one gun to use for everything. Otherwise he would get a 22-250.
 
Not recommended but someone will pop on here and tell you a 17 HMR can kill an elk... There are countless better calibers for such a large animal. Do yourself and the elk a favor and go nothing less that a 270.
 
243 has been used effectively on elk, by hunters who are willing to get close & wait for the right shot. Good hunters with the 243 must be willing to turn down bad (angle) shots, or other shots under poor circumstances. The 243 will work, but is marginal, in my experience.
Mark
 
Originally Posted By: mark shubert The 243 will work, but is marginal, in my experience.


+100
The .243 is marginal for ANY big game with the exception of maybe antelope and southern whitetails.
 
I've shot and killed elk with a 243, it is shot placement, and the right bullet. Taking close shots. I've also taken alot of mule deer with a 243 there again shot placment and the right bullet.
Dave
 
Originally Posted By: mark shubert243 has been used effectively on elk, by hunters who are willing to get close & wait for the right shot. Good hunters with the 243 must be willing to turn down bad (angle) shots, or other shots under poor circumstances. The 243 will work, but is marginal, in my experience.
Mark

+200

But I believe elk cartridges start with the 6.5x55. I've used my 6.5x06 on two with great results and my 6.5x55 just ain't that far behind it with reloads.
 
Originally Posted By: Don Fischer
+200

But I believe elk cartridges start with the 6.5x55. I've used my 6.5x06 on two with great results and my 6.5x55 just ain't that far behind it with reloads.

260 Remington would be in that league, awesome sectional density...
 
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I think a 7mm08 would be a more versitile choice if you are trying to go from coyotes to elk. The .243 is a bit light for elk and the 7mm08 is still a light recoil cartridge but with a lot of flexability if you hand load. The other calibers here 7mmM, .308, 30-06, 300WM are proven Elk guns.
Elk have been killed with a .243 but more gun is advisable.

Energy in Foot Pounds


243 Win. (6.16x51mm)..1933
7mm-08 Rem............2472
7mm Rem. Magnum.......3071
308 Win. (7.62x51mm)..2640
30-06 Spring..........2913
300 Win. Magnum.......3502
 
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+1 on that huntsman22, alot of people want to go to a bigger cal. because they cant make a good shot and figure if you shoot a big cal you can hit them anywhere, just learn to wait on your shot and make it count
 
Isn't there a rule in CO that it must be .30 cal or larger for Elk? Maybe thats AK, Just wonder if that goes for more elk bearing states too.
Bet that .243 shot placement goes out of the window when a grizzly pops up! They share that same habitat.
 
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Originally Posted By: hickerx2
+100
The .243 is marginal for ANY big game with the exception of maybe antelope and southern whitetails.

The 243 works VERY well on the northern whitetails in the UP of Michigan. Put the bullet where it belongs and you've got your deer. It works. BTDT. MI VHNTR
 
If you can kill one with a bow... you can sure as heck kill one with an 85 TSX. Though, the scruples that apply to a bow shot... ought to be shared with small caliber rifles.
 
Would not think of taking one elk hunting, but dropped my first northern deer with the new 243 a couple weeks ago. Moving along when I shot. Might of gone 20 yds after. Missing both lungs when I field dressed it. Serria 85 gr. bthp worked.
 
While it would work, assuming your a good shot, at game not at paper, two completely different things. And you are able to pass on shots, like quartering angles that are best done with a larger Cal.

I suppose if I had a lot of time to hunt elk, and lots of elk around a guy could get by with a .243. However you have to remember, you will be passing on shots that a larger cal could be taking, and you could be tracking for a while, which would be a huge problem if you live in high country.

It will kill effectively if you can wait for a broad side shot, and somewhat close range. However, I wouldn't count on it to punch through a shoulder and then into the vitals. Which is to bad since thats a great anchoring shot.

Are you really able to accept its limitations? Personally I don't know if I could handle passing on a shot at a quartering bull because I didn't pack enough gun.
 
Originally Posted By: CraigWhile it would work, assuming your a good shot, at game not at paper, two completely different things. And you are able to pass on shots, like quartering angles that are best done with a larger Cal.

I suppose if I had a lot of time to hunt elk, and lots of elk around a guy could get by with a .243. However you have to remember, you will be passing on shots that a larger cal could be taking, and you could be tracking for a while, which would be a huge problem if you live in high country.

It will kill effectively if you can wait for a broad side shot, and somewhat close range. However, I wouldn't count on it to punch through a shoulder and then into the vitals. Which is to bad since thats a great anchoring shot.

Are you really able to accept its limitations? Personally I don't know if I could handle passing on a shot at a quartering bull because I didn't pack enough gun. A 105gr. Berger VLD Bullet will punch through.
 
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Originally Posted By: DFullerIsn't there a rule in CO that it must be .30 cal or larger for Elk? Maybe thats AK, Just wonder if that goes for more elk bearing states too.
Bet that .243 shot placement goes out of the window when a grizzly pops up! They share that same habitat.

oregon requires a .24 caliber or larger for elk. but bear is only .22 center fire or bigger.
crazy.gif
 
Originally Posted By: huntsman22energy don't kill elk. shot placement does........


This should be the answer any time someone asks if this will kill that. A 375 H&H wont kill a elk if you dont hit him right. There is always a better caliber and there will always be to much gun. A person has to know when to pass up a shot if the conditions are not right. Would I hunt a elk with a .243 if that is all i had yes. If that was all the recoil i could stand do i know if it will be a dark timber hunt or a open ground hunt? there will aways be some one that says that wont kill a elk and there will be some one that has killed one. Shot Placement and type of bullet.
 


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