Minimum Caliber for elk

[rooster52]

Reading the Colorado regs,I see the minimum caliber for elk is .24 .
Question,has anyone ever taken an elk with a 243/6MM rifle ?

Here in Michigan I read that the largest bull elk ever taken by a woman was killed with a 243 Wincester in a Remington auto rifle.

[GetemDuck]

I'm sure that if the range was right and conditions favorable, that a 243 would get the job down. I know guys who hunt elk with a 25-06, But come elk season my 25 gets put away and the 30-06 (well now the .300) comes out.

My take is this, elk are not whitetail. And I know my shot could be anywhere from 50 to 350 yards with heavy cover close by so I use the largest caliber I'm comfortable shooting, then I learn to shoot it well.

just my 2 cents.
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Get'em Duck

[bhuntin]

I think GetemDuck was right on with what he said.

"I use the largest caliber I'm comfortable shooting, then I learn to shoot it well."

What ever you shoot make sure you shoot it well and then know what distance you shoot it well out to. Put the bullet where it needs to be and there shouldnt be a problem

[rooster52]

Not saying that I will be using a 243,just want to know if anyone has used one for elk.

[bartfrncs]

Elk are tough! Thats why I use a 338 win mag.

[paulsdeer]

Agree with Duck. I shoot a 300 win mag. And I've been fortunate to down several elk.
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[ranger1]

OH the never ending talk of the best Elk caliber. There is always the talk of how the .243 will do the job, the .270 is fine and so on. Well I guess I will just say what I feel. The .243 and even the .270 should be shelved during Elk season. The average hunter is not proficient enough with those calibers to be trying to kill Elk. Sure some out there can and have but the normal hunter, no way. You do an injustice to the Elk. If those calibers are all you can shoot, you should put serious limitations on you distance and be very accurate with the gun.

I have a strong belief you should always shoot what you can handle and shoot well. I also am a firm believer in shooting the largest and most effective caliber you can as well. We all know the normal good Elk calibers. Stay with them. Heck I even feel the minimum caliber would be the 30-06. Even with that caliber, keep it a few hundred yards. I say use a magnum caliber that is used for distance as well. The 300 WM, 300 WSM, 7MMMAG, 338 MAG. These days with the use of muzzle brakes, those who are recoil sensitive, get one. It makes shooting a 338 magnum feel like a 30-30. I have seen lesser calibers used and the effectiveness is not good when reaching out there. If you think of not taking a shot at an Elk at 450 yards only because you question both the power and bullet placement, thats good, but think of another caliber. When using a magnum caliber and a good bullet, there would be no question even if the Elk is quartering away.

This is just my opinion. Hope no one is offended.