.243 BE ENOUGH FOR ELK?

[inchr48]

Your final range day, cut targets out of brown paper bags. Size them approximating the vitals of the Elk. Have the shooter try and center punch the vitals without a big orange bullseye to aim at. Putting cross hairs on a live animal is much different that shooting at target dots.

As has been said, Good Luck and have fun, make some memories.

 

[sccrbllr]

In my opinion if there is a question about size go with the larger. I would hate explaining to my son that I had a feeling the round was too small. Good luck with whatever you choose

 

[CaliDuckPro]

I think the better question is.. do you really want to?

 

[baco]

Good luck on the hunt. Remember with cow elk they all look the same and usually are in heards. Once you shoot they all tend to group together and try and figure out where the shot came from. Dont just assume you missed if no cow falls and start shooting at another they are tuff animals and can and will suck up some lead. My suggestion is have one guy spot while the other shoots that way you can see the hit. Have a fun safe trip

 

[CODE3RUN]

Great info everyone. This is our first time hunting elk and both my boys have cow tags so that makes me the spotter.

 

[Leonakis]

.243 for Elk?

At 50 yards, yes. Actually a .243 will hit a 10" target consistently at 300 yards, but you need a gun table and rifle vice. I wouldn't use it past 50 yards because accuracy and bullet energy diminish. Use iron sights because a scope is mounted 1 and 1/2 inches higher than the barrel and the bullet will be shooting lower at that close range.

You won't find a larger bullet than 100 grain. You could even go lighter grain--you'd better really be good--at 50 yards since most of the energy of a light grain bullet (50 grain) is not lost; however, there is very little mass for bullet fragmentation so you have to be right on the heart, brain or spine, and better be killing a young yearling doe elk. The spine in the neck is a safe bet at 50 yards for back end shots and forgives elevation errors if you have no windage problems.

You won't get through the hide, muscle and ribs of a bull with a 50 grain bullet even at 4000 fps, with the exception that the bullet would have to shoot between the ribs--try that shot--that would work if you can even see where the ribs are. A 100 grain bullet will get through a rib but may not get the heart. Lung shots don't count because it will run far unless you get them both and get them high toward the front. Killing the elk doesn't count unless you can find it.

If you aren't a good shot or if you haven't killed many elk before and don't know the crazy things that happen in a hunt then don't do it, you'll only be feeding the coyotes. There is a very good possibility the elk will walk before dropping and you may never be able to lift it out of a canyon. Notice I wrote walk and not run, because it is not likely you are going to stop a walking elk. IT WILL HAVE TO BE SHOT AGAIN. IT WILL BE FURTHER AWAY.

Bow hunters kill Elk at bow ranges: 0 to 70 yards. Those broad head tips are 1 and 1/8 inch across and there are three for four blades. That is a bigger wound.

Lastly, if you have ever had the sickening experience of seeing a wounded deer or elk escape you or ever discovered some one else's cervidae in the briars while rabbit hunting, then you're going to be certain of all future kills. None of the ammunition manufacturers recommend the .243 for large game like elk, and a person with the required experience would not be asking this question but would know what they can do with the .243.

Good luck and happy hunting.

 

[wildwingsgamebirds]

I hunted with a .243 for 10 years. 9 deer and 4 elk killed with it. 1 deer and 1 elk needed a second shot to confirm a ethical kill. All ranged from 75 to 350 yards. It is not a question if the fun can do it, its more a question if the hunter is able. I feel like it made me a better hunter by forcing me to make good shots. Knowing that you practice more to be comfortable and confident with what you are doing. I used Federal 85 grain bullets the entire 10 years of use. Don't be afraid to use it for big game.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I847 using Tapatalk 2

 

[CODE3RUN]

We completed our youth cow elk hunt in Arizona 2 weeks ago. We took 3 out of 5 elk in our group. My buddys son shot one with his .243 and it ran a few yards and died. His other son hit his with 30-06 same distance and had to shoot it 2 more times. All shot placement.

 

[Rizzy]

Congrats on your first Elk.....did you use the barnes Tsx bullets?

 

[applejackrick]

pretty light gun, had a friend take an elk with one but you will need to put it to the back neck of the spine to drop and even then...... its luck!
270 would be the lightest gun, I shoot a 30-06.

 

[easymoney]

Pretty light for animals that size.
That being said I have shot and killed pigs with a ar15 .223.
Even with huge calibers it is all about shot placement and distance to the animal.
I shoot a win model 70 in 300 win mag 180 grn bullets and I have one shot kills consistantly.

 

[fossilman]

I would shoot a larger caliber for elk.I have shot many many mule deer with a 243,its a great rifle for smaller game!

 

[lewdogg21]

My buddy (Chicoredneck) killed a 5pt bull with his .243 WSSM.

I have no experiene using the caliber. I do have a good friend who has killed tons of animals with his .243 and he has been guiding for 20+ years.