243 For Elk?

 270 or higher.

lots of people shoot elk with 243 just depends on the distance you will be shooting

There was a video on here not too long ago of a person dropping an elk in its tracks at 600+. Shot placement is everything.

 Personally I would not hunt Elk with anything smaller than a .270.

270 or bigger IMO

Eastwood Said: Elk can't be any harder to bring down than a deer. What do you guys/girls think?

Seriously? 7-800 pound animal (big bull), built to withstand the environment, predators, and terrain of the mountains.   Not saying a .243 cant in the right hands, but based on your above statement I would guess you're probably not that seasoned.

i agree big tough animal my buddy shot one in CO and had her laying down bout 10 yds from him and so much blood you wouldnt have thought she could get up but she did and we never found her...was thick oak brush and he shot her with 338 ultra mag...made us sick we couldnt find her

 Will the 243Win work?  Yes.  Will a 270 or something even larger work better?  Yes.

I've killed 7 elk.  6 via 300Win mag, 1 via 257 Wby.  I've witnessed 3 more killed.  2 via 300Win mag, 1 via 270Win.

I wouldn't use the 257Wby again if I had other choices.  The 270Win did an outstanding job, shot through the lungs had the cow on the turf in about 10sec.  The 300Wins were even better.

Unless I had no other choice, I wouldn't spend the $1K for a MT tag and haul along a 243Win.  If they've got something lined up for you on a private ranch where the elk come down out of the mountains and present you with a standing 200yd shot out in the open, by all means, take your 243.

If you do use a .243, do the elk a favor and at least use a Barnes/GMX-type bullet in case you hit it in the shoulder.  A ballistic tip or SST would most likely leave a big pock-mark and bounce off.

I know the .243 isn't legal in ND for Elk. Not sure about Montana though.

ggenthusiast Said:
If you do use a .243, do the elk a favor and at least use a Barnes/GMX-type bullet in case you hit it in the shoulder.  A ballistic tip or SST would most likely leave a big pock-mark and bounce off.

This right here is why I wouldn't use a .243 in anything but the most controlled shot. .243 to the shoulder will take out one lung if you're lucky, unfortunately with something as tough as an elk you probably just lost your prize.

ggenthusiast Said:
If you do use a .243, do the elk a favor and at least use a Barnes/GMX-type bullet in case you hit it in the shoulder.  A ballistic tip or SST would most likely leave a big pock-mark and bounce off.

I shoot 100 gr. Partioned Noslers

Unless you're willing to buy something bigger than a 270, do the elk a favor and dont go! Shot placement is critical no matter what caliber you are shooting, but the margin of error with a 243 is much lower than with a bigger caliber. Use this trip as an excuse to buy a new gun! Preferably 300 or larger IMO

If you know your shots will be easy and your a lung popper - go for it (just not in ND) as i've seen guys in my party do it without issue.  My opinion is get your hands on a 270 or bigger.  If you are mountain hunting and have a split second shot you'll want something with punch.  I used a 30-06 one year and a 270 two years for elk and tagged out each time.  Heck - take the opportunity to add to the arsenal.  Today i'd go with a 7mm.

the old .308 seems to get er done,  if looking magnum i am into the .284 flavors
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3125949#Post3125949

 For the sake of the animal, I will borrow you my .270, 7mm, or 7mm Ultra Mag. Of course a .243 will kill an elk. However, with using a smaller caliber, the margin of error is that much less, along with wounding, kill time, etc. Personally a 100 gr. seems light to me for elk. Would much rather see someone in at least that 117-160 grain area for elk. However, thats just my opinion, I am by NO MEANS a caliber expert. 

I can catch pike on a bare hook and 2lb test mono, but that doesn't mean that I would target pike with that light of tackle.  Get something .270 or bigger.

Good way of putting it Enslow.  

Enslow Said:
I can catch pike on a bare hook and 2lb test mono, but that doesn't mean that I would target pike with that light of tackle.  Get something .270 or bigger.

 

Enslow Said:
I can catch pike on a bare hook

BS!

Perfect shot, perfect conditions, on a small elk, yep a 243 might get it done. How about a big bull of a lifetime,  at long range in not so perfect conditions? Your chances are slim to none. The right equipment is always better than going half assed, which is exactly what you would be doing. Argue all you want, but my recommendation is to carry as much gun as you can handle efficiently!