.243 for elk?

[C-Money]

The topic is about elk with a .243. Not cape buffalo, or elephants. Its about ELK! I know folks that have killed quite a few elk with the .243, and it does just fine. They shoot a 100gr Partition, and have not lost any elk. Looking at a skinned carcass of an elk killed by a .243 and it pretty impressive how much damage is inflicted by the "little" cartridge. I shoot a .270 win, and have great success. If ever I was given an option of hunting elk with a .243 or not hunting at all, I would grab that .243 and go elk hunting with no worries. But this topic is just a wheel spinner, most folks are on one side or the other, and most are a long way away from the line in either direction.

[Bob33]

The topic is about elk with a .243. Not cape buffalo, or elephants. Its about ELK!

Other animals disprove the statement that "shot placement" is all that matters.

On to ELK: how about a .223? They're legal in some states. 17 HMR? .218 Bee?

[blackveltbowhunter]

   This is similar to archery guys arguing about the how much draw weight is needed to kill an elk Ultimatley you and your wife will have to make the call. The truth is simple YES a 243 will kill elk cleanly all day long.

   However... the margin for error is very small, and bullet and shot selection very important. Personnally I would see if another rifle is an option.

   Depending on the gun and load an 06 can produce a pretty good thump. As a self proclaimed recoil pansie, I would look into 308 or 7mm-08 and see how she shoots those. Just because somebody is not "comfortable" doesnt mean they cant perform very well once pushed to the next comfort zone. If another gun is not an option, my criteria would fall to shootability. As bob33 pointed out it may not matter 19 times out of 20, apply the same principle to shooting. And go with the gun she is most consistent with, and trust the better shooting not more power. IMO and experience not trying to start a war Barring physical limitations, women on average have been much better game shots than the guys. This seems to ring even more true for newer hunters.   

[xXLojackXx]

.243's will take any animal in our state and then some. Put a good shot on the elk with a solid hunting bullet and it'll fall over in sight. The reason people like the .270-.338's is because most people don't take good shots and like to sink one through the shoulder blade.  We put elk down all the time with arrows, why wouldn't the terminal damage of a 108gr bullet at 3000fps do more damage?

Take a broadside or quartering away shot and you'll be just fine.

[C-Money]

I see your point Bob..... but I think you know the answer to your question. Good shot placement, quality bullet, at a respectable range, on the big game species North American Elk, using the .243, in my experience, = dead elk. I will NOT say, good shot placement using a quality bullet on the largest, thickest skinned, African big game animals will be effective. I just don't think it would be. And, I would NOT say that a .223, .17hmr or .218 would be suitable of Elk either.  BUT.....for North American Elk, .243 gets a Green Light! .243 works fine. I do not shoot a "magnum" cartridge at big game. I feel that after a few shots target shooting, my body and mind developed a flinching response to the recoil. I would not want any hunter, kid, woman or grown man, to go afield with a big gun and a flinch because he was told a .243 was not adequate for elk in North America. Once a shooter has developed a flinch, its hard to get rid of it even if they go back to a lighter cartridge.

[dscubame]

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.

And this comes from a Bow Hunter?  You must not bow hunt elk then if as you say a 270 is the absolute smallest you should attempt because a arrow is far far far less than a 270 let alone a .243.

I hunt elk with a .243 without issue.   

[dartondude]

And this comes from a Bow Hunter?  You must not bow hunt elk then if as you say a 270 is the absolute smallest you should attempt because a arrow is far far far less than a 270 let alone a .243.

I hunt elk with a .243 without issue.   

comparing oranges to apples..someone with a .243 could be tempted to take a 400 yards shot, someone with a bow--never.  rifle hunters often expect to be able to plow through a heavy shoulder bone to reach vitals, bowhunters almost always take only a broadside/quartering away shot.

[buckfvr]

SO no bow hunters launch at 100 yards ??  Even when so many of them have rushed to equip themselves with 3 pin sliders that give them 100 yards ?

.243 at 400 is probably no more common than an arrow at 100..........people are all different.........so is their idea of an acceptable shot.

[steeleywhopper]

243 will kill em dead if you put the bullet where it needs to be. My stepdad has taken elk with his without issue.

[RadSav]

You might look at it this way;

You have a 400 class bull feeding unaware at 300 yards.  Beside you on at your vantage point you have a sub-MOA 243 loaded with 90 grain well constructed bullets - 3,200 at muzzle.  Beside that you have a Sub-MOA .270WSM loaded with 140 grain well constructed bullets - 3,200 at muzzle.  You shoot one every bit as well as you do the other.  Wind is about 10 mph going uphill. Rain is falling steady and the ground is soaked, blood trailing could be difficult.  The terrain is such that you will probably only get one single shot at this trophy of a lifetime.  How many are going to chose the .243? 

I don't think it would take me long to make a decision.  And if my decision would be so quick in the heat of the moment, why would it not be the same when afforded the time to make that same decision before the season starts?  Between 270WSM or 7mm Rem might be a little more difficult.  As would 300WM or 338WM.  But .243 or 270?  That's a pretty easy decision in my book.

[blackveltbowhunter]

    I agree Rad.... But for giggles lets say you have both guns. The 270 you can make the shot at 300, 19 out of 20 times. The 243 you do it 20 out of 20. does your decision change? That seems to be more of the scenario the op may be presented with.

[Jonathan_S]

You might look at it this way;

You have a 400 class bull feeding unaware at 300 yards.  Beside you on at your vantage point you have a sub-MOA 243 loaded with 90 grain well constructed bullets - 3,200 at muzzle.  Beside that you have a Sub-MOA .270WSM loaded with 140 grain well constructed bullets - 3,200 at muzzle.  You shoot one every bit as well as you do the other.  Wind is about 10 mph going uphill. Rain is falling steady and the ground is soaked, blood trailing could be difficult.  The terrain is such that you will probably only get one single shot at this trophy of a lifetime.  How many are going to chose the .243? 

I don't think it would take me long to make a decision.  And if my decision would be so quick in the heat of the moment, why would it not be the same when afforded the time to make that same decision before the season starts?  Between 270WSM or 7mm Rem might be a little more difficult.  As would 300WM or 338WM.  But .243 or 270?  That's a pretty easy decision in my book.

Whew!  You got my heart pumpin' with that scenario.  Made me choose the .270 all over again.

[TeacherMan]

The topic is about elk with a .243. Not cape buffalo, or elephants. Its about ELK!

Other animals disprove the statement that "shot placement" is all that matters.

On to ELK: how about a .223? They're legal in some states. 17 HMR? .218 Bee?

This thread needs pics  Personally I think its to small but have taken two elk with a .243 back when deer and elk season overlaped. But if a person if more comforable with it and doesn't flinch and keeps their shots under 250yds go for it! I'm a big guy I'll stick with my 338RUM...
Pic of a nice bull taken with an AR in .223 

[Buzz2401]

If you can kill an elk with a bow you sure as hell can kill one with a 243

[dscubame]

If you can kill an elk with a bow you sure as hell can kill one with a 243

That was my point and many others exactly.