Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting .243 Elk Load

The few wounded critter rodeos I've been involved in usually have this and continually pushing them in common.

Seems to me a .243 would seem like a great idea if in fact my primary rifle became inop for whatever reason. Certainly far superior to no back up at all. Don't see how a Partition or TTSX could be a wrong answer.

Actually I would prefer using my 243 Win over the 30-06. I have only killed one bull with an 06 and while it worked OK I don't see any real increase in killing performance.

I do know I shoot better with a 243 Win.

John,

What's your favorite bullet for elk?

+1 I'm interested too.

I've become a fan of the 243. It's just a joy to shoot and load for. My little M700 Stainless Mountain is about the handiest outfit I've ever owned. Been thinking about a re-do on it to 6.5 Creedmoor,but the 243 does have a certain appeal.

Some have that problim, give the game a chance to lay there will help you out.

Watched a video on YouTube one time. Girl was 15 if I remember correctly. She was laying prone when she took the shot with her .243 at a cow on a hillside opposite the hill she was on. Camera was rolling from directly behind her. She shot, the cow dropped. They ranged it before shot at something like 652 yards

85 grain tsx will work great. I've done it. 305 yards, boom flop. Wouldn't hesitate to do it again. The girl in the YouTube video who dropped the cow at long range was using a 105 Berger VLD I believe.

If I had to use my 243 for elk i'd get close real close and club it to death with it!

I believe that was one of john burn's videos.

You can put a bayonet on it if you want?
Maybe some feathers towards the back and throw it like a spear?
Shot placement is still key, I'm sure.

Sorry I missed this the first time.

The only .243 bullet I have ever seen or used on elk was the 105 VLD. While other bullets should work fine I can say the 105 VLD works great from 100yd shoulders to further than most should shoot.

that's a great way to put it, actually.

Don't most people think the .260 is fine for elk? Is .5mm really a huge difference?

I'm probably going to use a .243 this year for my first elk hunt. I'll be sure to report back if I get lucky and actually find one to kill.

I like your pick, OP. Have heard nothing but good regarding Double Tap ammo, and that velocity with a 100gr Partition should do what you want and more. In the last month or so, I've had 243 and 6mm elk hunters crawling out of the woodwork, seems like every time I talk to someone about elk season lately. I know many gentlemen who were my teachers decades ago that still take their wee rifles shooting wee bullets and get their general season elk with boring consistency. I would feel stupid contradicting the experience of my respected elders. There is one in our group this year packing a 243 for deer and elk, using a moderate handload that is varmint-accurate.

it's not the .5mm, it's the 40 gr heavier and longer bullet!

Oh so the 2.5 grams or 40gr is going to make or break the deal? I see.

Yes but women and children can always kill stuff with a 243 that us real he men can't . Don't you know that by now. ;^). Good luck to your daughter and tell her I'm looking forward to seeing some pictures of her and her elk posted here on the fire.

To the OP I've never shot an elk with a 243 but that is a case where I would probably go with a partition or some other premium bonded or mono bullet. Certainly wont hurt .

This.