Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Elk and the .223.Why not?

Bottom line a .223 will kill an elk but the difference is more than 0.019 diameter.

Using the previous example provided

.223/ 62 gr - at 3100 fps carries a kinetic energy of 1323 ft/lbs
.243/ 95 gr - at 2980 fps carries a kinetic energy of 1873 ft/lbs

There's 42% more energy being imparted on the elk between a 243 and a 223.

I am always amazed at someone who admits they don�t have any interest in other opinions but feel everyone needs to hear theirs.

OK John, I'll read the thread and see if it changes my mind. For the record, no one is compelled to read my opinion. It's an open forum. OK, I wasted my time reading the entire thread and it did nothing to change my mind.

I can't compare the 22LR with the 223, any more seriously than I would compare a 25ACP with a 25-06.

I'm just funny like that.

I've killed a pretty big pile of deer with a .22LR. Somehow I doubt Elk with a .223 would be any more difficult. Course if you're one who needs to shoot 700 yds. I can see it being a different story.

What HAVE you killed with a 223, and how many times have you been in on the blood spillin when it comes to wapiti?

I've been killing elk since the early 60's with real guns Bill.

What Wyatt Earp said............

And somehow you STILL think they're bullet proof...

Learn how to get closer or how to shoot, cause if you've been doing it for 50 years and couldn't do it with a 223 you suck and need a new hobby.

Buffalo didn't make it 50 yards, and was shot by an autistic 12 year old, BTW.

For the long time Elk hunters here,how many have seen the 25-35 used on Elk and even more controversial in it's day,the .250-3000.. The .250-3000,maybe the first high velocity .25 caliber hit 3000 fps with an 87 grain bullet..WOW!!!!!

Yup,times have changed and bullets have got alot better and yes,the 25-35 and .250 Savage of old,killed Elk as does the 30-30 and other rounds not known for penetration but in the hands of experienced hunters,knocked em' dead with the bullets of old.

With todays bullets known for penetration, like the TSX makes in my opinion,them equal to in a smaller caliber with equal penetration of the old warhorses of years ago.

Jayco

Lil' John

We can use them now so why would we need a special hunt?Any weapon means any weapon including the .223..

Besides I like your idea,who would pass up an opportunity to get all dressed up in our GI Joe costumes in full camo or even better,black and hit the hills with multiple 30-round mags going after Elk in the rut...

I think I still have E-3 patches from the Army and AF and I could loan you one if you wished to participate in Idaho's first GI Joe hunt.

I do like your brand of humor though!

Jayco

Last year I killed one at 50 yds with a Hawken and round ball. I'm a still hunter and I know how to get close. It's the only way I hunt.

I never said they're bullet proof. I do find it fun to rag on guys who shoot .223's though. You're all so sensitive, and have no sense of humor. Shoot a gun with more than 3 lbs of recoil, and you won't have to defend it all the time.

Haven't read what everybody is yaking about. A .223 is MORE than adequate to cleanly take an elk. But when they are on a dead run, straight away, at 400 yards, better hope you don't have a 223, not even with a 20round magazine. Thankfully I had a big can of whoopass here.. What's that saying? 3 in the ass is better than one in the grass..

MH

How do you like the penetration you get with a round ball out of your Hawken..I only have a Thompson 50 cal and the penetration a round ball gives is not good,in my opinion.I would bet the .223/30-30 would way out penetrate the soft old round ball.

Some are so soft that when sticking one, my bullet puller pulled out of the soft lead round ball.Idaho quit letting us use sabots leaving us with either the round ball or conical..Boo.

If you have a bullet that will penetrate decently and you put that bullet where it belongs,you have dead animals.

Jayco

To be honest. This year will be the first year I try a .50 cal flintlock for elk. I've used a .54 in the past. Up to 50 yds it has enough penetration to get through both lungs. That's a big hole, and they don't go far.
My guns have slow twist barrels, and i'm committed to a PRB. Yours has a 1-48 twist, and will shoot conicals. If you have doubts about a PRB. Shoot a 400gr conical, and you'll knock an elk on it's butt.

I didn't see your post or I wouldn't have posted...I think that saying you was after is:(referring to rifles only)

Once you go black there's no going back

Jayco

That was last fall's MT elk, 3 in the ass, none in the grass. That's how I roll.

Ass man eh?

A guy's got to have his fetishes

NIce elk GH.


Travis