Originally Posted By: buddyis a 243 to small for elk
I would look at it a different way.
Your profile says you're from New York. Where are you planning to hunt elk?
Look at the costs involved in elk hunting for the non-resident (I'm assuming New York doesn't have a huge elk heard that nobody ever mentions). Now consider the number of rifles on the market today that for $400 or less will give you any number of calibers that are much more suitable for elk.
The fact of the matter is that the rifle is just about the cheapest part of the equation for a traveling non-resident hunter. Heck, $400 didn't even buy me the license! Travel, outfitter, clothing, food, etc, etc. Even a DIY hunt is going to rack up a four figure sum very quickly.
Even if it's just a one time hunt, I'd say buy a
Savage Axis or similar rifle in .30-06 and hunt with confidence.
And before the armchair elk experts jump on my suggestion of calibers, the reason I suggest the 06 are threefold:
1. It's more than capable of putting down an elk, no ifs ands or buts.
2. All entry level bolt action offerings like the Savage Axis, Weatherby Vangaurd, etc, etc, etc offer the 06.
3. The 06 is a popular caliber for a variety of game and therefore is easily resealable if this hunt turns out to be a one-off. While other calibers might be better as an elk-only choice, the 06 has very broad appeal.
Grouse