243 for elk

[Igor]

Despite all the great replies:
The 243 is NOT elk Medicine!

[dvolmer]

Like shooting geese with a 410 shotgun. Can be done but not recommended.

[MADMAX]

Can you ? Yes
Should you ? No

[BEARHUNTER1]

Has the draw already happened!


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[duckmen1]

Like shooting geese with a 410 shotgun. Can be done but not recommended.

Can it be done yes. Effectively yes. To run steel in a 410 for geese. Not the best option. Agreed. But to say 410 not good at all I disagree. As there have been a lot of new shot options on the market. But you better be prepared to pay for the shot. Reloading for the 410 opens up a lot of opportunity when invested.  But deadly effective on geese, turkey, ducks and upland birds. I hardly ever loose a bird waterfowl hunting. Have smoked 6 turkeys with the 410 none lost.  Last 4 years have really opened my eyes to the effectiveness to the 410.

[Shawn Ryan]

Shot my first few elk with a .243. Using it makes you get closer and choose shots like you are archery hunting. If you have that discipline, then use the .243. If you want to take longer or riskier shots, then choose a cartridge with more downrange energy.

Your decision to choose rifle over bow is based on having fewer fellow hunters, right? If that is your basis, I'd say that is bad info. Still less felt competition during archery season, IMO.

[huntingfool7]

Shot my first few elk with a .243. Using it makes you get closer and choose shots like you are archery hunting. If you have that discipline, then use the .243. If you want to take longer or riskier shots, then choose a cartridge with more downrange energy.

Your decision to choose rifle over bow is based on having fewer fellow hunters, right? If that is your basis, I'd say that is bad info. Still less felt competition during archery season, IMO.

^^^ This! ^^^ 243 will kill 'em ^^^ & Not going to see less hunters out there in a unit open for General season. ^^^

[Stein]

For sure, don't use your deer bullet on an elk.  I wouldn't use a .243 but that's your choice.  You don't need to jump to a magnum though, get a .308 standard cartridge and you'll be golden.  .308, 30-06 something in that range.

If you're tracking deer you hit with a magnum, you either hit them very poorly or had very poor bullet performance, or both.

If you hunt general season in Washington, it's going to be high pressure.  You can't get away from that by changing weapons or units, if it's a general tag you're going to see other hunters.

[rtspring]

My kiddo killed a elk at 427 yds last year with 100 gr bullet from his .243

Bullet Placement is what matters. 

[Taco280AI]

Some people also win the lotto, but that doesn't make it the rule, only the exception.

[Buzzsaw461]

Some people also win the lotto, but that doesn't make it the rule, only the exception.

exactly

[Mtnwalker]

Shot my first few elk with a .243. Using it makes you get closer and choose shots like you are archery hunting. If you have that discipline, then use the .243. If you want to take longer or riskier shots, then choose a cartridge with more downrange energy.

Your decision to choose rifle over bow is based on having fewer fellow hunters, right? If that is your basis, I'd say that is bad info. Still less felt competition during archery season, IMO.

  This is where I'm at. If its the only rifle you're proficient with then I wouldn't hesitate to use it. Get the right bullet, close the distance and take smart shots. Would it be my first choice? No. Would it keep me out of the woods if it was my best or only option? Absolutely not.

[C-Money]

Family on my wife's side killed a monster 360 class bull with a .243 win. They have killed quite a few elk with the .243 win. Those particular family members have about aged out of hunting like they use to, but they sure use to punch tags, a lot with a .243 win. I do think the .243 win is a bit under estimated. Its a pretty good big game cartridge. Probably wouldn't use it my self as a first choice elk gun, but I know its a dang good cartridge for filling the freezer.

[dvolmer]

Family on my wife's side killed a monster 360 class bull with a .243 win. They have killed quite a few elk with the .243 win. Those particular family members have about aged out of hunting like they use to, but they sure use to punch tags, a lot with a .243 win. I do think the .243 win is a bit under estimated. Its a pretty good big game cartridge. Probably wouldn't use it my self as a first choice elk gun, but I know its a dang good cartridge for filling the freezer.

. I agree. Great deer and antelope gun for sure!!

[WoolSocks]

Your decision to choose rifle over bow is based on having fewer fellow hunters, right? If that is your basis, I'd say that is bad info. Still less felt competition during archery season, IMO.

It’s not that I think there will be less people in the woods, so much as that there will be others in the woods at all  Sounds like if I want to hunt in solitude I have to combine my love for multi-day backpacking trips into the middle of nowhere with my love for hunting. At that point it probably doesn’t matter what weapon I choose.