Which gun...?

[Rdnkgirl88]

I got a .243 and a 30-30.

30-30 is iron sights and .243 has a scope.

Which would work as a better elk hunting gun?

I always go with .243 because of the scope and accurate shot but have been reading a lot about how its not a good gun for elk.

What do you think?

Thanks

[BigD]

It's all about shot placement. I had a 5x5 bull only go about 25 yards with a .243
I now use a 300 rum for elk.

[Grizzly95]

A .22 will kill an elk with the right shot placement. Depends on your loads too. I am no expert, but I prefer to have too much power than too little. My uncle uses a .257 and head shoots everything, behind the ear is his shot of choice. The .243 is pretty light in my opinion, but if you are a tack driver and keep your cool and get close it would do it. The 30-30 has more punch, but the distance is short.

[Rdnkgirl88]

The gun is perfect and is right on, It belonged to my dad.

I like to think I am a pretty dang good shot too.  

[carpsniperg2]

what ever one you shoot best. both will kill elk. i would lung them, and not try to hit the shoulder with those 2 rounds. also if you are in the thick crap the 30-30 would be good. if the shots are going to be +100 most times take the 243

[Bob33]

You may not wish to hear this but a 243 is a marginal elk cartridge.  It is legal, and it will kill an elk if you hit it right.  But sometimes in the real world, sh1t happens. Hit a shoulder bone with a .243 80 grain bullet and that's when the trouble starts.  You would be best served to keep your shots close, or go buy or borrow something in a larger caliber.

[carpsniperg2]

also if you use the 243 get the 100 grain bullets or better not sure if there are factory loads over 100 grains or not but i would not use the 80g and such.

[400out]

I would say a lot of it depends on where you are hunting them! yes knock down power is great, but if your not shooting long distances and your good with one of them have faith in it and go hunting   

[G.R.K]

Buy a new rifle.

[FC]

If you can get within 100 yards and shoot accurately I would use whichever you are most confident with. Stick with lung/heart shots and you will do fine.

[wsucowboy]

It's all about shot placement and what your more comfortable with. I would rather be elk hunting with a 243 that i can shoot really well and am comfortable with than a larger caliber rifle that i'm not as used to.

[PA BEN]

If that's all you have go w/the 30-30. 170gr or Horndy lever action 165grs I know a guy that kills his elk every time w/a 30-30.

[Skyvalhunter]

Go with the one you are most comfortable with and shoots the best.

[GoldTip]

My mother in law kills her deer every year with a 243.  In the 18 years I have been with her daughter I can think of 2 cow Moose and around 6 or 7 cow elk she has killed with that 243.  Shot placement is the key factor here when using a cliber considered marginal for the animal's size.  Use a good quality 100gr load and put it behind the front shoulders and your elk won't go far, limit your shots to under 200 yards MAX.  No angled away shots, no angled to shots, broadside shots only and you will kill elk.

[Angus]

A family friend hunts everything with a .243 including elk, saw him once kill a spike bull at 400 yards. That being said, he was also a retired marine sniper and spent alot of time at the range with that gun. Between the 2 I would go with the .243 but I would definietly consider something bigger, .270 or bigger.

[Little Fish]

I'd use whatever one you like shooting best.

[hoyt2002]

I would have to say 30-30 is fine in the thick stuff and under 100 yrds but if its longer shots than that got buy a new rifle or see if your buddy's have an extra gun. A 243 just don't cut it for elk.

[Skillet]

Tough one.  As mentioned several times above, if you really want to use the .243 get the best 100 grain+ bullet you can and pick your shot.  I would go with the 30-30, though.  Not that it allows you to make a mistake, but that big ol' chunk of lead could lessen the anguish of not finding your animal after a marginal shot.

Whatever gun you choose, practice follow up shots!  One shot after another after another.  See if you can get 3 shots in a vital area sized target at your expected ranges offhand in under 10 seconds.  5 seconds is better and not impossible.  Unless you get a perfect broadside shot at close range, you may be happy you practiced this.  Elk are tough, and there are several guys with .300 mag and bigger that shoot and keep shooting until the elk is down for good.

[Thenewguy]

I got a .243 and a 30-30.

30-30 is iron sights and .243 has a scope.

Which would work as a better elk hunting gun?

I always go with .243 because of the scope and accurate shot but have been reading a lot about how its not a good gun for elk.

What do you think?

Thanks

buy a new one! .270 or bigger

[bobcat]

I think either one will work fine, just limit your shots to about 75 yards. A lot of archery hunters will shoot elk just about that far, I don't see why a 243 or a 30/30 wouldn't work just as well as an arrow. Go for nothing less than a double-lung shot and you shouldn't have a problem. If you choose to use the 243, I think a good bullet would be the 85 grain Barnes. In the 30/30, the bullet really won't matter as long as it's a decent 150 or 170 grain bullet.

[Rdnkgirl88]

Thanks for all the input, it gives me a lot to think about. At this point a new gun isn't an option considering the money and the fact that elk season is only a couple months away.

I am more comfortable with my 30-30 because I have been using it every deer season for the last 15 years. The .243 shoots like a champ and is mainly my elk hunting gun because I figured I needed a scope for longer shots.

Thanks again for all your help on this, its greatly appreciated.

[Pathfinder101]

A family friend hunts everything with a .243 including elk, saw him once kill a spike bull at 400 yards. That being said, he was also a retired marine sniper and spent alot of time at the range with that gun. Between the 2 I would go with the .243 but I would definietly consider something bigger, .270 or bigger.

Exact same advice I was about to give.  Right down to the part about the .270....

[h2ofowlr]

.243 for open clear cut areas.  30-30 if your going to be hunting under or in the thick or close range.  Both will take down an elk with proper shot placement.  Don't think you have to have a .300 ultra mag to take down an elk.  That helps those that shoot an elk anywhere in the body or are trying to blow through both shoulders and knock down a tree behind the animal.