Whose Killed elk with 243?

[Hornseeker]

Just curious. That is my daughters new gun and I know it can do it, but want to hear about it! I am loading up 85 grain Barnes TSX's...which are some good bullets... I think a good shot into the lungs/heart will do the trick!

[GoldTip]

My mother in law has killed 6-8 elk (all cows) with her 243win as well as a couple cow Moose all with 100gr core lokt pills.  Bro-in law used to shoot nothing but a 243 until he stepped up to a 280 a couple years ago, I am guessing he's killed a half dozen elk with it as well as multiple very nice MT. black bears and more deer than I could count.  Not sure what bullet he is using.

[BlackRidge]

I have no doubt a Barnes 85gr TSX round (in .243) will down an elk w/ good shot placement. Awesome rounds

[Curly]

Just think how many bulls must have fallen to 150gr Nosler Partitions.........they have what, a 60% weight retention?  If the Barnes retains 95%, then the retained wt = 81gr compared to 90 gr with the 150gr Nosler.  Therefore, the 85gr Barnes should be almost equal to a 150gr Nosler Partition. 

[C-Money]

My aunt took my uncles 270 out elk hunting one day cause she missed a bull the day before with her 243. So my uncle went out with her 243 and killed a 360 7x7 bull. Uncle said it dropped in his tracks. I figured 243's may be a little light for elk, but they seem to sure put down a ton of animals every year!

[Hornseeker]

Shweeeeeet! 

[Lightning_Rider]

I figured 243's may be a little light for elk, but they seem to sure put down a ton of animals every year!

 

[deerhunter_98520]

.243 is an awsome gun...thats the only gun ive used to hunt deer with...havent shot anything bigger with it but i wouldnt hesitate to.....heres a couple of the bullets i dug out of the last 2 deer i shot...they are federal premiums with 100gr nosler partitions

[demontang]

Id say as long as your not shooting over 300yds and good placement there will be no problem.

[Holg3107]

My old man has killed every one of his elk (over 20) with a .243, I shoot a 6mm rem. basically the same thing and have killed 3 elk with it. 2 of them went less than 50 yds and were double lunged (both shots at around 100-150 yds) the third was shot in the heavy timber at 15 yds and I *censored* her in the head, no tracking necessary. The only real issue with shooting an elk with a .243 or 6mm is that the bullet wont go clear through and you are going to have a very small entry so your blood trail may be small if not non existant. Make a good shot and that elk wont go far.  By the way I shoot only 100gr core lokts out of my 6mm, maintains weight and has a great mushroom.

[boneaddict]

My wife used a 25-06 with a 120 grain nozler.

[400out]

.243 is an awsome gun...thats the only gun ive used to hunt deer with...havent shot anything bigger with it but i wouldnt hesitate to.....heres a couple of the bullets i dug out of the last 2 deer i shot...they are federal premiums with 100gr nosler partitions

The whole problem I see with this is you found the bullet! If I'm going to have faith in it as a elk gun it had better blaze right threw a deer 

[deerhunter_98520]

i know what ur sayin...the one on the right was a 300yd shot and went through one shoulder and hit the other and the deer dropped on the spot....but if the shot is good and the bullet holding up that good its gonna be a dead elk

[Bigshooter]

Just think how many bulls must have fallen to 150gr Nosler Partitions.........they have what, a 60% weight retention?  If the Barnes retains 95%, then the retained wt = 81gr compared to 90 gr with the 150gr Nosler.  Therefore, the 85gr Barnes should be almost equal to a 150gr Nosler Partition. 

That's funny.

[grundy53]

My dad killed to with my .243 when I was a youngin. He broke his 30-06 and used my .243 for 2 years. Both were 1 shot kills. Good shot placement and it will get the job done.