.243 for elk?

[boneaddict]

One of the biggest elk poachers I knew used nothing but a 22-250 and killed more big bulls than you guys could ever dream of, so I bet a .243 would work if you knew how to shoot.  My wife used a 25-06 with 120s.   

[mountainman]

One of the biggest elk poachers I knew used nothing but a 22-250 and killed more big bulls than you guys could ever dream of, so I bet a .243 would work if you knew how to shoot.  My wife used a 25-06 with 120s.   

The biggest one I knew used a single shot .22 for deer, bear and cats back in the late 80's back home, do you remember that? Spent 6 months working for Sig on that one!

[kentrek]

Not that my opinion matters much in this top is since Ive never used 243 nor have I introduced young/small shooters...

But heres a scenario....lil billy pulls up his 243 to blast his first bull..his mind has him scored as the new wa state record ...lil Billys heart starts to race...just as the safety goes off he remembers all the stories on hunt wa about people saying his gun is too small...just then the convulsive shakes begin and lil billy gets target panick an hits 5 feet above the bulls barley legal horns...it no longer matters that lil billy hit the paper plate 20 for 20 back at the range

Any doubt is too much doubt when it comes to killing..

I vote get a muzzle break an have em shoot a bigger Magnum..

[Jim the Plumber]

Looks like it worked for Kasandra @688 yards
Kasandra Cow elk 688yds.mp4

[RadSav]

Looks like it worked for Kasandra @688 yards

Piece of cake shot for her off the rack Tikka    Pretty cool!  I always like seeing the vapor trail in those videos.

[mountainman]

Awesome one shot kill!! Yep, Tikka at that! Loved watching that one!

[RadSav]

Awesome one shot kill!! Yep, Tikka at that! Loved watching that one!

I fear folks are not going to realize we are being facetious about the off the shelf Tikka.   

Yes, we know it's a Greybull.

[RadSav]

One of those guys I mentioned earlier that uses a 243 for everything was getting his new wife set up for elk this year.  I figured since this topic was up I would reach out and send a text asking him what gun she ended up with.  Turns out she got a Weatherby Back Country in 240.  He loaded it with the 90 grain Speer Deep Curl and said it's a tack driver.  First time she pulled the trigger on an animal it was a small 5X5 bull at around 325 yards quartering forward.  Took out the front shoulder and blew up the heart.  Stumbled about 5 yards and was done.  He has now ordered one for himself.

I'd looked at one for long range coyote whacking but never even considered it as a possible gun for the wife.  Sounds like it might be a good one though.  Not sure she would go for a 24" barrel, but we might have to make a road trip so she can shoot it (and me too!).  Looks like it's also available in 257 Weatherby and 270 Win which are two of the three rounds we've discussed.

[huntnphool]

One of those guys I mentioned earlier that uses a 243 for everything was getting his new wife set up for elk this year.  I figured since this topic was up I would reach out and send a text asking him what gun she ended up with.  Turns out she got a Weatherby Back Country in 240.  He loaded it with the 90 grain Speer Deep Curl and said it's a tack driver.  First time she pulled the trigger on an animal it was a small 5X5 bull at around 325 yards quartering forward.  Took out the front shoulder and blew up the heart.  Stumbled about 5 yards and was done.  He has now ordered one for himself.

I'd looked at one for long range coyote whacking but never even considered it as a possible gun for the wife.  Sounds like it might be a good one though.  Not sure she would go for a 24" barrel, but we might have to make a road trip so she can shoot it (and me too!).  Looks like it's also available in 257 Weatherby and 270 Win which are two of the three rounds we've discussed.

Ive got a couple youth model rifles, Ruger 7mm-08 with 16.5" barrel and Remington 700 .243 with 18" barrel. You are welcome to borrow them and let her try them out for comparison to others you are considering.

[JLS]

How is the muzzle blast with the short barrels?

[huntnphool]

How is the muzzle blast with the short barrels?

Actually not as bad as I thought they would be.

[high country]

The biggest rifle I've killed elk with is the 375 H&H,  the smallest is the 257. The 257 has been a drt gun on its sample of two elk one of which was at 400yds. The 375 has averaged 35ish yards of tracking on its sample of two. I feel a well placed bullet designed to go the speed you're shoving it works fine regardless of headstamp. 22 ' s are dang popular in the villages and they have big bears and bigger moose.......just sayin.

[7mm Bob]

simple answer, 243 for elk? It can be done, but that doesn't make it a good idea

[dscubame]

simple answer, 243 for elk? It can be done, but that doesn't make it a good idea

After 6 pages it is greatly obvious the answer is not simple.  And a .243 is a grand idea.  As with archery it is shot placement and understanding caliber limitations that exist with all calibers.

[deltaops]

If one is not comfortable with a bigger caliber then chances are that they may miss due to flinching or holding steady.

Go with the rifle you are comfortable with, chances are you have shot it many of times and know where the bullet will hit.

My son shoots his .243 with precision when he takes his time. He is only 9 and he does get excited but when I am with him I talk him through every step and help keep him calm.

He shoots my .308 but has issues hitting the target because he flinches. He shoots a .270 but he still flinches a little. He is comfortable with his .243 100gr and can drive nails all day when he wants too at 100yds. I would rather have him use his .243 any ole day than my .308 due to the fact he is comfortable with it and in turn he can shoot it damn good.