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My intent is not to start a firestorm, but I plan to take my .243 as my back-up elk rifle in case something happens to my trusty .30-06. That said, I wouldn't hesitate to take a reasonable shot at a cow elk with my .243....with the right load. I'm talking factory loads.
What do you recommend? The Winchester 95 grain XP3 is a candidate as it is built like the Fail Safe. Reports? I've heard good things about the Hornady Custom 100 grain Interlock. My rifle shoots the Win 95 BST and Horn SF 95 SST well. Either of these? Nosler 90 grain E-Tip?
Many thanks.
Expat
"There are no dangerous weapons. There are only dangerous men." - Robert Heinlein
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Joined: Jul 2009
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Doubletap 100 grain partition if you must
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Campfire Tracker
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Federal makes 100 gr Nosler Partition loads. They work in my experience.
and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8) d.v. Musings on TDS
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Friend of mine shot a 5x5 here in Oklahoma (that's right, elk in Oklahoma)a couple of years ago with a walmart federal 100 grain load from a 243. The elk walked about 30 yards and died. Side shot just above the heart.
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Joined: Nov 2009
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You asked. Go buy another 30-06 you got the hots for as a backup. That way you don't have to worry about backup ammo being up to the job and other bs details to flounder on. remember you did ask. Magnum_Man
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A cow or bull, it makes no difference, both will absorb lots of lead given the chance.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
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If i was going to use my 243 for Elk i would use the same load i hunt deer with Swift 90 gr Scirocco and IMR 4064
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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80gr TTSX. Put one in the lungs and watch the elk die.
Jon
Lifetime member: Backcountry Hunters and Anglers & Wild Sheep Foundation
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Campfire Ranger
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Federal makes 100 gr Nosler Partition loads. They work in my experience. If I weren't rolling my own, this is the route I would go.
"The number one problem with America is, a whole lot of people need shot, and nobody is shooting them."
-Master Chief Hershel Davis
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You asked. Go buy another 30-06 you got the hots for as a backup. That way you don't have to worry about backup ammo being up to the job and other bs details to flounder on. remember you did ask. Magnum_Man THIS....
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Campfire Ranger
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80gr TTSX. Put one in the lungs and watch the elk die.
Jon ^^This^^
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I used to hunt elk with my 243 shooting 105g Speer spitzers before I bought my 270. I do think a 100g Partition is a better choice. Stick to broadside high heart lung shots and it will kill them nicely.
Regards,
Chuck
"There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit"
Ghost And The Darkness
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where are you hunting? that can make a lot of difference. also not saying a 6mm won't kill an elk with proper placement but just be sure your hiking and tracking skills are paid up cause if you muff the shot miz or mr elk will take you places no one has gone before or ever wanted to go.
the light weights of the 6mm's are not bone breakers per se' but one through the cluster of veins and arteries atop the heart will drop his oil pressure to zip fast. I have seen one elk shot with a 6mm right through the heart and she went 300 yards and wasn't dead when we found her. hole in heart was straight 6mm all the way with the rubbery tissue closing the drain. might have been a bad choice of bullet but in my mind a .30 or 338 hole would have been better. think the bullet was a speer. sorry I can't remember. good luck
Last edited by deerstalker; 07/07/13.
the consolidation of the states into one vast republic, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of that ruin which has overwhelmed all those that have preceded. Robert E Lee
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
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Elk are tough....do your self & the elk a favor...
get a bigger caliber/heavier bullet & learn how to use it
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
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Joined: Apr 2013
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Stick to broadside high heart lung shots and it will kill them nicely.[/quote]
what he said!
the consolidation of the states into one vast republic, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of that ruin which has overwhelmed all those that have preceded. Robert E Lee
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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This is very interesting to me <>I have a custom 257 Weatherby that shoots ! and some time we are looking down some areas and can see them and we have to shoot or not because if we move they will leave ! whats bullet weight will kill a Elk ? Well placed will not kill them some times! and some times they will drop like a sack of [bleep]!> Ive seen white tail shot with a 338 and run off never to be seen again .
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Joined: May 2013
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But I always hunt with heavey METAL. http://youtu.be/_2_gOpU0eWU
Last edited by bcd; 07/07/13.
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how about get a good .243, with a good bullet, and learn how to use it.bigger is not always better, shot placement trumps round size, dont be in a hurry to miss.rio7
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Joined: Aug 2010
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@bcd...That must be one heck of a tough mutant whitetail to absorb a 338 mag shot and run off to never be seen again. Are they wearing body armor where you live? A 338 would just about disintegrate the whitetails I have hunted. Mostly in Texas and Arizona.
Last edited by The_Chadster; 07/07/13.
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But I always hunt with heavey METAL. http://youtu.be/_2_gOpU0eWU
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