.243 for elk?

[Thehowler]

Second the 243wssm, I own the Browning model. I haven't taken any elk with it yet because I hunt muzzle, but, would not hesitate for a second with the multi season tag. Of course, shot placement with any caliber is key. This round has been complete carnage on deer

[casey58]

Choosing a lighter rifle is not risking loosing it. Taking poor shots is risking loosing a animal

It's all shot placement. A 243 is more then capable of taking the wind out of a elk.  I love my 243, I have yet to have any animal make it more then 30yds after the shot.

[tonymiller7]

Havent' you heard you can't kill an elk with anything less than a 300 WinMag!!!   
Sorry couldn't help myself!

[Peregrine]

we've got a long-time hunting pard back in Colorado who has used one all his life on elk (he's in his 70s) but he passes on a lot of less-than-perfect shots and often goes home without an elk because of it - unless you've got a ton of patience its probably better to go with a .270 (i've always seen small-average youth and women shoot it just fine).

[Jonathan_S]

RadSav already said this essentially but I think anyone can handle a .270.

The difference in a 1 lung / liver shot with a .270 sounds better than a similarly placed 90-100 grain .243

[farmin4u_98948]

Its kind of like hunting ducks with a 410.  I have done it. But that being said a 12 guage is lots better. Same with a 243 on elk. I have done it but it raises the risk just because of less lead. Count the risk and happy hunting....   

[BullMagnet76]

We have a duty as hunters to make ethical decisions.  That includes making clean, humane kill shots.  Most hunters get buck fever before taking shots,  you need to use a caliber big enough to cover you in case you make a nervous poor shot.  Not everyone is gonna make that perfectly placed shot,  so why would you try and get CUTE with a 243???  I would say a 270 is the absolute smallest you should attempt.  To me even that is pushin it.

[muleyslayer]

It all comes down to shot placement.  I've seen lung shot spike elk drop in there tracks with a 243, and I've seen lung shot spike elk walk a few yards before going down with a 338 win. Mag.

[bowhunterwa87]

.243 is an awesome round. U use mine for all big game hunting

[bobcat]

.243 is an awesome round. I use mine for all big game hunting

Maybe, but a 338 Win Mag is definitely MORE awesome!

[cbond3318]

As others have said, It is placement and the start to good shot placement is knowing and being comfortable with the gun your shooting, if that means it is a .243 then have at it. As in everything  there is always something better in one way or another.

[coachcw]

the fact the 243 topic for elk comes up every year if for nothing else would lean towards it being on the light side for elk , not very often do you hear is a .270 to small for elk

[et1702]

Others have already said it well.  A .243 might be OK for an EXPERIENCED hunter.  Again, a small-framed hunter should be able to shoot a 270 or 7-08 just as effectively, with more lead downrange.  Ethically, I think this would be a much better option for elk.

ET

[Bob33]

Sooner or later, if you hunt long enough there will come a day when hit shappens.

Elk are big, tough animals. If your shot happens to strike the wrong bone, or nick a vital area, bullet performance can make the difference between a dead animal, a wounded animal that doesn’t travel far, or a wounded animal you can’t catch up to.

The difference in surface area between a .243 bullet and a .277 bullet is 30%. The difference in surface area between a .243 bullet and a .308 bullet is 60%. It may not matter 19 times out of 20, or 49 times out of 50…but it could.

If bullet size doesn’t matter, ask yourself why cape buffalo hunters don’t use a .243.

[motg9_6]

with all the ethical hunters on here that would never take bad shots and only do things perfectly using a 243 wouldnt be an issue. you wouldnt have to have a huge caliber and all this take about not taking your time  and not making the perfect shot would be irrelevant.