Minimum caliber for elk

It is our responsibility as hunters to use enough weapon to do the job. I have helped track elk wounded by others while using .243s and .338WMags, mostly because the bullet did not go where it needed to go.

Be an ethical hunter, and don't forget, PETA and other anti-gun groups are watching our every move, in order to criticize our field manners.

Good hunting to all,
 
I personally side with all of those that say "you need to understand the cartridges ability, and your ability". I like to think that most hunters do so in an ethical manner. Then again, I see deer carcasses littering the dirt road I drive home on with only the ham and back straps cut off. If a person is disciplined enough to hold off on a questionable shot, then .243 (or even .30-30 to a very limited distance) should work adequately. For those that aren't that disciplined, I would recommend the -06 or similar powered cartridge on up. Even then, they are still likely to shoot beyond their capability as a human, and that extra firepower will do no good. Darned if you do, darned if you don't.
 
While I feel I could kill one easy enough w/ my .243, I have never taken it after elk. 140gr and up for me.
elkman06
 
Art, i wouldnt want to use a 223 on elk lol. I wouldn't even use a 243. In fact, i have no idea if the .223 would make it to the vitals before it exploded and did all that wierd stuff they do. But, that is the minimum i think you could shoot once at the vitals, and actually kill the elk without it becoming a wild goose chase. I'm pretty sure even a .22lr can kill an elk, they've been used to kill much bigger animals :P
 
Our whole deal, here, is "clean, ethical kill". And, I figure on what are generally thought of as reasonable distances, which means out to maybe 300 yards. Sure, closer is good, but terrain and elk-notions have more to say about the distance than most hunters do.

So, I'd not figure on a .243 as my primary tool for the job. I'd want something with heavier bullets for more reliable penetration and all that happy stuff. Not any sort of absolute, but anything with around 140 to 180 grains of bullet and around 2,800 ft/sec or better of muzzle velocity.

Multitudes of cartridges in that general range, plus all the bigger stuff...
 
For Clean Humane Kills, I would start with the .270 Win and work my way up to .325 WSM has become a very popular caliber for Elk Hunters.
 
I've jumped in on these enough, and have stated enough that I use a Remington 6mm extremely effectively on elk. It's not for everyone, but it IS most effective IF you understand the capabilities and are a little picky about your shot. To back this up, a friend from work finally took hunters safety this summer so she could go hunting with her husband. When presented with the 300 win mag he suggested for elk, she said "no way, no how". She was excited to announce she got her elk clean with her .243 with a lung shot--it took two steps and dropped flat. 4x5 bull at 200+yds using 105gr. sierra soft points (as near as she could describe them). SO... I'll continue to say----if you can use your weapon better than point and pull, YES--a .243 will do the job. Many elk that have come and gone with time in my freezer will testify. ;)
 
.243 minimum....7mm-08 for balance.....300 is about perfect.
Not an elk alive that won't die from a well-placed 243 with a premium bullet.
Plenty will run away from a bad 300winmag shot.
 
Minimum caliber for Elk?

:eek: Did someone again suggest a .243 for Elk? No way, Jose!
Too many varibles occur in hunting situations for that size caliber to be used on Elk. So, it cannot be considered (in my opinion) the proper caliber for these size animals with their bone structure width and weight. Yes, you can kill a animal this size with a .243 but that does not make it the "minimum" size caliber just for the sake of wondering.....
My minimum caliber choice would be .308, .270 and 6.5x55 to be fair to the Elk being hunted. These calibers are proven to take elk on a regular basis, although probably a .30-06 or higher would be my personal selection.
 
I own a 270 and that is what I would use. For me that would be my minimum caliber choice. If I had a 7mm Rem, I'd use that as it gives you a bit more range. But I wouldn't take a shot at 900 yds like I see on TV.
 
Did someone again suggest a .243 for Elk?
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Skydiver>> Not meaning to single you out, but YES--I did say that my 6mm (.243) is very effective at taking elk. I can't help but notice your location---Florida? I'm going to wager a guess that you don't get out after elk that often. I'm from Montana and now reside in Colorado, and have decades of experience with elk. They don't seem to buy into the propaganda any more than I do, and seem to die with predictable, swift regularity when I hit 'em with that ineffective, puny little .243 caliber pill. If you want some numbers, pull out any reloading manual of your choice and have a look at velocities and ft-lbs. just grabbing my Nosler book... The 100gr. partition that my 6mm fires at just over 3100 fps (average load) is hitting with over 1700 ft-lbs at 200 yds while the all-mighty .308 180gr partition spitting out at 2400 fps (again, average load) is hitting with just over 1500 ft-lbs at that same 200 yds---considerably less. And I can tell you from personal experience just how much damage that little 100gr. bullet (105gr in my case actually) does to the vitals of an elk, as well as how effectively it penetrates all the bone and muscle mass on the way to the vitals. So lets not spread further propaganda. ;)

Too many varibles occur in hunting situations for that size caliber to be used on Elk.
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Larger caliber does NOT justify taking more chances on risky shots. The only shot that I know I can't hit the vitals of an elk with my 6mm is a direct-away running--which isn't a shot for any caliber anyway. Every other facing provides lungs/heart or CNS easily reachable with a .243 caliber premium bullet.
 
Rangefinder- I found it difficult to believe that a 243 firing 100 grain projectiles would have higher energy at 200 yards when compared to a 308 firing 180 grain projectiles, so I took your advice and consulted several ballistic charts and you are incorrect.
I would prefer to use my 308 on Elk as a minimum, but if a 243 was all that was available I wouldn't feel under gunned if good broad side or frontal shots can be taken within 200 yards.
I think the 30 caliber and upwards tend to prove themselves as a minimum when less than ideal shots are taken, especially if an animal is quartering away from you.
As hunting is not a predictable business, I would go with the largest minimum legal caliber in your state that you are comfortable in using.
 
I found it difficult to believe that a 243 firing 100 grain projectiles would have higher energy at 200 yards when compared to a 308 firing 180 grain projectiles, so I took your advice and consulted several ballistic charts and you are incorrect.
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Yes--you ARE correct. I saw the wrong column. At 200 yds the .243 100gr with mv of 3100 is only hitting with 1500 ft-lbs, not 1700. So it's running equal impact, not higher. ;) good eyes.

...that you are comfortable in using
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There is the key to the whole question right there. The .243 isn't for everyone--nor is a .300 Weatherby mag. I prefer my 6mm because I know every grain in the wood as well as how it performs in every condition I can muster a thought about--and it has proven itself effective many times on every elk I've killed with it. My whole point is to NOT underestimate it based on incorrect hear-say.
 
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Most of the elk hunters I know use 7mm mag. or .300 mag. because of the options it offers in varying mountain terrain. Also an unseen leaf or twig in the way is less likely to deflect the shot as much.

They are all still careful picking the shots they take. Mostly because they are old and like to be able to drive to the down animal. If you have ever had to quarter and pack an elk out of rough country you can appreciate the preference to drive up to it.
 
25-06 and up

Although members of my family have dumped Bull Elk with a .243 win.,my advice would be 25-06 as a minimum. They shoot flat and fast, hit hard, and are recoil friendly, which makes them easier to shoot well consistently.
 
350 grn arrow with a cutting diameter of 7/8 inch. I am usually closer to the 400grn mark and usually have at least a 1" cutting diamiter Broad head. Its the only way I have ever been able to take an elk. Seems that every time a drag a rifle through he woods they hide from me. Althoug next year I might get a chance to try a .54 cal:D
 
Hi Rangefinder

:) As a matter of fact, I was just recently (in the fall) out in Colorado and Montana but did not get a good shot at an elk with archery equip. I would still recommend something with a little more weight for elk than a 6mm (100 grain bullet). But what the hey, that is just my opinion. Congrats on your elk with your 6mm.
 
killed many of elk with the ol 243 win practice and only take the ethical shots and you are fine but now i don't step into the woods with anything but the 300 ultra now worries and no such thing as overkill
 
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