collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: 243 for elk?  (Read 10086 times)

Offline Opportunist

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 556
  • Location: Rose Valley
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #15 on: September 06, 2008, 12:48:32 PM »
You can't compare arrow/broadhead and rifle/bullet killing effectiveness.  They kill in entirely different ways, archery kills through massive hemoraging and rifle through traumatic shock. Bullets destroy as they enter and tear a wound channel and behind the bullet cavitation is created which destroys vessels, tissue and organs as the bullet passes through, also shards of shattered bone from the shock do their own damage. Arrows/broadhead simply slips through and slices and only destroys tissue the blades actually come in contact with. Sorry I'm not meaning to sound like Dr. Science. So you can't really compare bullets and broadheads other than they both kill.

I feel the minimum for elk is the .308.  My aunt used to shoot a .243 for elk and killed 4 or 5 elk. Then in one season she wounded and lost two bulls. It's all about shot placement but I would still rather shoot something that throws a bigger chunk of lead. :twocents:
"Deer season is just a scouting trip for my next elk hunt"

Offline demontang

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2008
  • Posts: 3412
  • Location: Selah
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #16 on: September 06, 2008, 02:40:01 PM »
I think the 243 is a little to light for elk, yes you can kill them with it, but you can also wound one. I know a couple that used 243's and after shooting and losing one elk they both switched to a larger cal. I bought a 338 win for it but there are alot of other cals out there that can do it that dont kick that hard (338fed :dunno: ). :twocents:

Offline runningboard

  • Site Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2007
  • Posts: 1496
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #17 on: September 06, 2008, 03:25:43 PM »
Quote
Elk are too valuable an animal to be shot with guns of so small caliber in my opinion. Seems like some folks like to get their jollies by shooting too far or shooting rounds too small for the critter.
I agree with MW338 on this one, I know that shot placement is it. BUT, you can't control every aspect of the shot. what about animal's awareness, level of excitement, size (i.e. big bull vs. average cow), etc. that plays into it as well. I have seen double-lunged animals drop on the spot with no broken bones and other double-lunged animals run hundreds of yards. I have shot deer in Montana with a 22-250 (legal) but I wouldn't recommend it for the inexperienced and won't do it again myself even though I can.
Romans 14:2 he who eats only vegetables is weak
Genesis 27:3 Now then, get your equipment—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me

Offline NoBark

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2007
  • Posts: 565
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #18 on: September 06, 2008, 03:27:42 PM »
It ain't fishing guys, we're not trying to give them a chance to get away.

Use plenty of gun!

Offline hard hunter

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2008
  • Posts: 420
  • Location: Vancouver, Wa
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #19 on: September 06, 2008, 03:44:38 PM »
I was with a guy that shot an elk with a 30-30 @ about 25 yds, I think it was a 180 grain Remington Factory Load.  The elk only when about 15 feet before colaping but the bullet was found under the skin on the far side of the elk. 

Offline waoutdoorsman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Dec 2007
  • Posts: 266
  • Location: Washington
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #20 on: September 06, 2008, 03:50:21 PM »
possible (under the right situation) but not ideal at all.
Chupacabra: Spanish for mangy coyote.

Offline granola/hippyslayer

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Aug 2008
  • Posts: 160
  • Location: wet side
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #21 on: September 06, 2008, 08:36:00 PM »
  I have a friend who is an ex sniper instructor he told me of a hunting trip to Montana with the good old boys and one of them tried a shot with a round nose .308 and the bullet fragged against the elks hollow hair and peeled back a huge patch of hair . with no penetration one of the other guy es saved him from his mistake and took it out with a 375 h&h . a little over kill if you ask me. but i also prefer an  arrow to the bullet.  :twocents:

Offline Red Dawg

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2007
  • Posts: 1945
  • Location: Granger, WA
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #22 on: September 06, 2008, 08:43:56 PM »
if a guy feels comforable with that round than by all means use it. A lot of people also say that a 270 is to small. And we all know that is not true.

Offline Bofire

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2007
  • Posts: 5524
  • Location: Yelm
  • Harley YAR YAR YAR!
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #23 on: September 06, 2008, 08:53:08 PM »
is a 243 able to kill an Elk, yup it is. BUT what would happen to me is I would see the bull of my life at about 300 yards, 7 point royal, 60 inch spread 3 inch bases drop tines,in less than a perfect position. I would take my 243 and beat it against a rock and swear to never go after Elk again without my 300 mag. Are you willing to risk that? I aint.
Carl
When the chips are down..... the buffalo is empty!!

I do not shop at Amazon

Offline Red Dawg

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2007
  • Posts: 1945
  • Location: Granger, WA
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #24 on: September 06, 2008, 08:59:02 PM »
i see your point but a 300 is no more deadly at 300 yards if a guy cant shoot. I am not saying that you cant shoot, but i have heard to many stories about people who shoot an animal anywhere just because they think the have big firepower. and that mostly comes from outfitter friends but still a guy has to tink about that also.

Offline high country

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 5129
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #25 on: September 06, 2008, 10:06:35 PM »
I sat right next to a guy who wounded an elk with a 300RUM, I shot after him and bang flopped my elk with a 257, which is not much bigger. the range was 350ish and it passed through cleanly. I am confident enough to take the shot with any rifle I shoot well, including the 243. a good hit is a good hit. no bull is going to walk away frm a 243 in the boiler room. they may be tougher to trail than if you shot them with a 460 wby, but likely just as dead.

anyone who thinks any cartrige that is loaded today for big game is too weak, light, small.......yada....well they either have never done it, or tried it and did not shoot well.

how many elk have you cleaned with someone else's bullet in the lungs?

Offline jackelope

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (+27)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 49015
  • Location: Duvall, WA
  • Groups: jackelope
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #26 on: September 06, 2008, 10:08:16 PM »
Quote
how many elk have you cleaned with someone else's bullet in the lungs?

 :chuckle:

i like that one.
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline MountainWalk

  • "Pa Nevermissashot"
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2008
  • Posts: 3083
  • Location: Afognak, POW, Kodiak, Quilcene
  • High lead logger/ cutter
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #27 on: September 06, 2008, 10:09:14 PM »
Never a bullet, but I have found broadheads.
The way that you wander, is the way that you choose
The day that you tarry, is the day that you lose

Offline addicted

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2007
  • Posts: 5266
  • Location: A forest near you
  • The famous FootDog
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #28 on: September 06, 2008, 11:21:09 PM »
if the gun doesn't kick me, how do i know it kicks the elk? lol.

not that we put much faith in them,(redraw redraw redraw) but if the wdfw feels that the 24 caliber is big enough then maybe it is. 

i like what mountainwalk338 said though. they are a very valuable thing to be gambling on. 

if you and i are walking through the woods with a 243 and an elk walks out 20 feet in front of us, i sure as hell aren't going to stop you from putting one straight through the boiler room. of course i don't like walking around with people that are dangerous enough to miss at 20 feet lol
"Right now, I am thinking that If my grandmother was here, she would be lecturing me about how there are poor people in Africa, that would just love to have a Ruger, I would just say "Great, granny, lets just ship all the Rugers to Africa!"


Loving life in the Great Northwest one day at a time.

It sounds like it's time to get a new gun.

Offline Intruder

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2007
  • Posts: 1722
  • Location: Spo-Vegas
Re: 243 for elk?
« Reply #29 on: September 11, 2008, 08:45:20 AM »
possible (under the right situation) but not ideal at all.

I think that sums it up well.  Hell even a 22 can kill and elk..... doesn't mean I wanna go hunting w/ 1.  To me the .25 calibers w/ 120 grn bullets and up are really what I'd term the bare min for elk.  The 260 and 7mm-08 would be even better as far as a cal on the light side. 

That being said, I'd rather heart/lung an elk w/ a 243 than gut shoot it w/ a 338. 

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Let’s see your best Washington buck by high_hunter
[Yesterday at 10:31:08 PM]


Bearpaw Season - Spring 2024 by actionshooter
[Yesterday at 09:43:51 PM]


Walked a cougar down by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 08:31:53 PM]


Which 12” boat trailer tires? by timberhunter
[Yesterday at 08:22:18 PM]


Lowest power 22 round? by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 08:06:13 PM]


1x scopes vs open sights by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 07:29:35 PM]


Long Beach Clamming Tides by Encore 280
[Yesterday at 05:16:00 PM]


WTS Suppressors I Can Get by dreadi
[Yesterday at 03:30:33 PM]


SB 5444 signed by Inslee on 03/26 Takes Effect on 06/06/24 by Longfield1
[Yesterday at 03:27:51 PM]


Straight on by kentrek
[Yesterday at 03:04:53 PM]


2024-2026 Hunting Season Proposals by trophyhunt
[Yesterday at 01:51:40 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal