Which gun...?

[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.