Cow Elk taken with Tikka 243 - picture

S

SouthwestORV

Inactive
Hello friends,
What a cool forum! I've seen some discussion, lots of debate, some strong opinions, thought I'd share a photo from my 2016 Cow Elk hunt. My brother and I both drew cow elk tags, we wanted meat on the table for our growing families. We both tagged out day 1 of the hunt. I shot this cow at sunset with my Tikka T3 Lite in 243 Win. I used Federal Power-Shok 100gr ammunition. The distance was 150 yards. She fell right where I shot her. Then I hiked 1/2 mile back to my quad, rode several miles to find my brother in another location, and rode back with him to clean the animal - which is why it's getting dark as we took the photo. The whole experience was positive and unforgettable. I never ate a bite of that meat without gratitude, because I took her life. She was a beautiful animal. She was good eating for the whole family, wife and 4 kids.
 

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Nice work

thought I'd share a photo from my 2016 Cow Elk hunt.
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Nice work and one thing we all have in common, in this site, is sharing. Welcome to the camp ...... :)

Be Safe !!!
 
Yep.

As has been proven over and over in real facts vs opinion, its the shot placement and the bullet that counts not the caliber.

My step dad's father (gone before we knew him) shot 6-8 Grizzly off his homestead with a 30-06. No drama. Now they need a 20mm cannon. Lewis and Clark worked their way across the US with a Pneumatic Rifle (the one firearm that they cold count on).

Let alone 1500 to the late 1800s across the US with muzzle loaders.
 
Looks great. I know people prize themselves on shooting big bulls but if I ever were in an area that I could hunt elk and had a cow tag I'd take one in a second.
 
RC20 said:
Yep.

As has been proven over and over in real facts vs opinion, its the shot placement and the bullet that counts not the caliber.

My step dad's father (gone before we knew him) shot 6-8 Grizzly off his homestead with a 30-06. No drama. Now they need a 20mm cannon. Lewis and Clark worked their way across the US with a Pneumatic Rifle (the one firearm that they cold count on).

Let alone 1500 to the late 1800s across the US with muzzle loaders.
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Yessir. I love my 243 for various reasons - one being my confidence with it. I think that confidence allows me to place shots well. I owned a 270 previously, and I did not feel as confident with it. I recognize my 243 is on the small side for big game, but the fact remains that the elk died, and died ethically.
 
Blindstitch said:
Looks great. I know people prize themselves on shooting big bulls but if I ever were in an area that I could hunt elk and had a cow tag I'd take one in a second.
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Thanks! I think it's fun. We get several herds in this area each summer/fall and if you set yourself up right, you can pick the one you want. Beyond that, my wife will never go for a set of antlers in the house. If I ever do get drawn for a bull hunt, the euro will go over my desk at the office. ;)
 
jmr40 said:
Good job, good shooting, and thanks for posting.
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Thanks! I may be putting in again this year. My wife uses smaller quantities of red meat in meal planning, so that little cow lasted us until 2019! We ground most of the meat. Time to do it again. Crazy how I forget that with beef you have to drain off the grease/fat. Not the case with that elk meat.
 
Ed4032 said:
Great shot and a great rifle too. Thanks for the picture!!
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Thanks! First shot hit the lungs, she was anchored in place - bullet did tremendous damage on the way through. I didn’t wait, I quickly reloaded and head shot her to put her out of her misery. She didn’t suffer long.
 
I know a young man who took his first elk during late season 2020 wit a 90 grain Accubond out of a Browning A-Bolt. The .243 is capable of a lot with a well placed bullet.
 
SouthwestORV said:
Thanks! I think it's fun. We get several herds in this area each summer/fall and if you set yourself up right, you can pick the one you want. Beyond that, my wife will never go for a set of antlers in the house. If I ever do get drawn for a bull hunt, the euro will go over my desk at the office. ;)
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I'm in the same boat with you! It's a bit of let-down to shoot a trophy rack, then have nowhere to put the trophy. But I'm pondering a dedicated hunting wagon - maybe an old Blazer or 4Runner with a 6x6 Elk rack as the brush guard. :D Keep it the barn to keep her happy.
 
argument

That should pretty much settle the argument one often hears that the .243 is not enough rifle for............... whitetails. I heard it often as a kid, and since it was coming from my elders, repeated it myself on more than one occasion, for much longer than I should have. Personal experience with and watching the .243 in action on deer changed that.

Congrats to you on the cow and a memory. Would you care to advise how much you suspect the cow weighed on the hoof?
 
Congrats! I killed my first elk, a spike, at around 70 yds. with my 6MM Rem (on par with your .243) and used a 100 grn. Rem core lokt factory round to get the job done. He was facing me, and my shot just below his chin dropped him on the spot. This was back in the very early 80's, using my Ruger M77 tang safety. Pretty new rifle back then. Still have it, still use it, but not for elk anymore.

Seems you know your rifle and skill set very well! Well done!
 
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