The 243, quite posibly the best elk round ever invented..

[omegman]

Get a ballistic-tip inside those lungs or heart and see how far they run then. Pass-throughs, I dont understand these unless your using larger cartridges just to get blood trails> Shoulder shots, well they might come in to play then but, why, when you can drop them nearly in their tracks with a 243.
OM

[Just a Hunter]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1IG5houmW0Q/SL8tqi6EyvI/AAAAAAAAAJE/3zEfg_yyDlA/s320/simpsons_nelson_haha2.gif

[bill m]

What happens if you hit a bone?
I always understood that a bullet passing through didn't have as much to do with a blood trail as it had with the wound channel; the awesome wound channel that a properly expanding bullet would leave behind.
I talked to a guy who hunted in Montana for elk and he told me that he used a 22-250. Fine if it works for him...and you.
It will be interesting to see if anyone agrees with you.
I'm thinking that Just A Hunter hasn't caught his breath yet.

[T2133]

I know this sounds paranoid but I don't share the forest with grizzly bears holding a .243.

[omegman]

then when carrying ur 243, have an exrta bit of insurance by adding a 500s&w on yur side

[Just a Hunter]

The problem with a bear charge is your often left with little time to prepare for it. It's not like the bear will call ahead and remind you
that tomorrow at 9:00 you will have a appointment with him and to come prepared. At best you may have just a few seconds to respond
and you can only hope you have your pistol in a holster that you can quickly retreive it from.(This is not the time to fumble with snaps or straps)

Take note of how fast this bear covers the distance to these bow hunters. If not for the quick thinking of one man preparing for the worst when he saw the cubs
this may have ended very poorly for all of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMbnmLLnsfw

[rimrock]

"
omegman



The 243, quite possibly the best elk round ever invented.. "

you obviously prize, creating controversy on these boards far more than your having a good firm grasp on reality,built from EXPERIENCE about what works in most circumstances, over most ranges as to your choice in equipment for hunting ELK under field conditions, theres a REASON most people consider the 243 win too light and the 270 win about the smallest reasonable choice for hunting ELK. now Ive no doubt a 22 hornet in skilled hands COULD kill an ELK , but that HARDLY makes it a good choice.
Id bet the majority of experienced ELK hunters would prefer a 270 win or larger caliber rifle, personally I think the 30/06 is a good minimum as Ive see it work successfully, and Ive used it.

[Just a Hunter]

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc172/480sparky/troll/troll_by.jpg

[Twanger]

http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/forum/smileyvault-stirthepot.gif

[sharpshooter94]

where in the heck do we keep getting these guys from???????:confused1::confused1:

[Altjaeger]

where in the heck do we keep getting these guys from???????:confused1::confused1:

:laugh:Omega man has been around for year and is a master at benertoing discussion !

[rimrock]

if your recoil sensitive Id suggest use of a recoil absorbing PAST shoulder pad,sewn into your hunting vest, http://personalsecurityzone.com/images/PAST310-010lg.jpg
a rifle butt padhttp://media.midwayusa.com/ProductImages/Medium/871407.jpg
combined with proper rifle sling use,http://media.midwayusa.com/ProductImages/Medium/2403132843.jpg and a muzzle brake might be an option
sewn into your hunting vest,
http://media.midwayusa.com/ProductImages/Medium/518518.jpg

and selecting a effective caliber like the 30/06-35 whelen class of cartridge, throwing a 180grn-225 grain bullet from a rifle that weights at least 8 lbs with scope and mounts, for your elk hunts, and learn to get into under 250 yards before taking a good rest or sitting position, before firing,and a decent bi-pod helps
http://media.midwayusa.com/ProductImages/Medium/572600.jpg
http://www.weatherby.com/product/rifles/vanguard/synthetic
http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/finder/
several of the guys I hunt with use synthetic weatherby vangard , or savage weather warrior rifles in different calibers with good success, I don,t see how you could go far wrong with a properly set up 30/06 or even a 270 win if your really worried about recoil
a good 4x scope helps

the combo results in a good many dead elk if your skill levels and practice allow you to hit where you intend to shoot

[Rock Chuck]

If you're that sensitive to recoil, I recommend taking along a 12 year old as a designated shooter.

[rimrock]

If you're that sensitive to recoil, I recommend taking along a 12 year old as a designated shooter.



I was trying to point out the options to reduce felt recoil levels, as I know some guys really do shoot much more accurately only if they are not using a rifle that "KICKS"
we all have our limits on recoil, example I usually hunt with a 340wby or 375H&H and don,t find that to be any problem, one of my hunting buddies used a 358 win, with a recoil shield sewn in his hunt vest and a sling on the rifle and a thick recoil pad on the rifle for many years as that was the most recoil he could tolerate, he always said I was insane when I carried my 375H&H carbine , or in his words " it was a toss-up on who would get hurt more the ELK or the shooter when that carbine was fired"but I also own a 458 LOTT and Id never even think of firing that from the prone position, so ive got my limits

[Just a Hunter]

It's possible Omegman lives around a little known line of pygmie elk, and in which case the .243 might work well.

[GF.]

http://www.flyfishandfield.com/tourism/images/stories/Hunting/Sika_Deer.jpg

Big bulls run to 70 kilos (150#).

[Herne]

That's not a live weight Matt - or not for a sika over here. I know yours are a lot smaller, but I've had them on the hooks at 140 or so, head and legs off, dressed skin on.

But a properly placed 243 round will take them down

270 is better though :)

Its very umm - decisive. (Think I killed my biggest sika with a 257 Roberts though for one year I tackled quite a few with the 270).

Sika do run - why I don't know but once hit they run like hell. almost always.

[ColoYooper]

Just an observation...Rim Rock who designed that Muzzle Brake? Brakes reduce recoil be diverting gases to the side, or even vectoring gases to the rear. As gases orginated from the powder, which can comprise 25% of the mass traveling down the barrel, and can double the velocity of the bullet, taking them out of the equation by having them exit to the side, significantly reduces the recoil. But the one you depict, has ports out the front as well as the sides. While looking cool, the front ports are reducing the overall effectiveness of the brake.

[Twanger]

I'm not a big fan of muzzle brakes.
At the range the concussion from the shooter next to you is horrific.
They are also extremely loud and nobody should shoot one without ear protection (unless you're already deaf!)

[Just a Hunter]

What? can you speak up a bit

[Craig]

As always, shot placement is of 'vital' importance. Personally, I would probably go with something heavier than a .243 for elk but I do know some folks who have used it effectively to that end. Once upon a time I figured the .270 was too light for elk, then I got a .270 and that changed my mind real quick! I used to work with a retired big game guide from Wyoming who had taken some three dozen elk with a .270 and he swore by it and used nothing else. I have known Alaska natives to take caribou with .22 LR - one shot kills too.... I have also seen moose run away after being hit with a .338 or 45/70. Shot placement is 'vital'!

[Craig]

I have also seen Alaska natives take moose with .243 and 30/30. Yes folks, it does work in skilled hands!

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

The problem with a bear charge is your often left with little time to prepare for it. It's not like the bear will call ahead and remind you
that tomorrow at 9:00 you will have a appointment with him and to come prepared. At best you may have just a few seconds to respond
and you can only hope you have your pistol in a holster that you can quickly retreive it from.(This is not the time to fumble with snaps or straps)

Take note of how fast this bear covers the distance to these bow hunters. If not for the quick thinking of one man preparing for the worst when he saw the cubs
this may have ended very poorly for all of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMbnmLLnsfw

I am sooooo glad I don't know a damn thing about Bear Charges!

Alan

[Hi Ball]

Only to a friend of "Grits Grissom known as Whiskey" and my late brother in law perhaps" I on the hand believe that the .243 Winchester is capable enough for white tail or mule deer but not the species known as ELK!!! You are talking about 900 pound mature bulls and cows tipping the scale at 500 to 600 pounds. I dare say there would be far more elk lost to those hunters who tried or attempted harvesting an elk with a .243 caliber rifle.