Do you consider the .243 win to be a "stunt" round for moose/elk? Or is it enough?

[rookie wildcat]

I am in the camp that I would if that was all I had, knowing its limitations. But it isn't, so I won't. Last year my wife decided to up the ante and go for elk (up to now just deer) and although she was very comfortable with her .243 and an excellent shot, I am not convinced that it is a good elk round, so we got her a .308 Xbolt, short stock. Beautiful rifle. Family situation changed so we did not get to go on the elk hunt and most shooting activities by either of us was curtailed for the winter.

I have a .243 and I would be more comfortable with a heavier round. Throwing an extra 65gns at an animal just makes me feel more confident.

 

[rookie wildcat]

You need to live up here. The moose season starts sept 1 and ends Jan 31. Lots of moose too!!!!

I would love to, but I have been told that THIS is as far north as I get to go, accompanied...that is...

 

[BrotherRockeye]

I've seen enough moose killed with a .243 and just as many wounded, only to die later, with the various magnum cartridges to confirm the cartridge can get it done with a doubt. Most folk using the 243 Win, or 6mmRem for that matter, are better shots than the magnum totters because they: 1) actually practice and 2) don't flinch because of excessive recoil! The 243/6mm shooters tend to be more ethical hunters because they wait for the perfect shot rather than take a marginal one with the misconception in mind that energy will make up for the less than ideal presentation.

I can actually see the steam rising off this post over the internet...

That kind of blanket generalization and logic is usually used against firearms owners.

 

[Scott_N]

I would use it in a pinch, but it wouldn't be my first choice given other / better options.

 

[c-fbmi]

After having shot out 2 different 243s I love the round, but have no illusions as to it's capability. I would use one on any NA game if the opportunity presented itself as long as I was in complete control of the situation and able to place my shot precisely where I wanted it. It is not a caliber I would choose to go moose or elk or grizzly hunting with but given the right circumstances I could use it very lethally. I harvested the largest black bear I have taken with a 243 and it worked perfectly but again, perfect set up and circumstances, broadside at 75 mtrs, 90 gn Speer through both shoulders..............dead. But then we kill black bears with hatchets and sharp sticks in the Yukon so any rifle is adequate in my opinion for blackies.
My son shot a very large Y/A moose with his, but he was totally unaware and quartering away at under 50 mtrs, took an 80 gn right at the back of the ear, lights out......instantly.......but again, a target of opportunity while hunting wolves, not planned but perfectly executed nonetheless.
The 243 is a precision instrument when used on big game and must be used as such, it is not a "hit 'em anywhere in the body" cartridge. It is the scalpel of the rifle hunting world on big game, not the Bowie knife, and MUST be used as such to be effective, and must be used at ranges where scalpel precision can be guaranteed. This is just my experience after something in excess of 25,000 rounds from this cartridge.

 

[VLT79]

I can actually see the steam rising off this post over the internet...

That kind of blanket generalization and logic is usually used against firearms owners.

You can bang your head all you want, it's not gonna change the fact that too many people are buying "long range" cartridges, taking questionable shots these days, when they don't have the skill to using the cartridges at those extended ranges. All because they read or saw on TV that with the .315 Laser Super Mag you could kill an Elk at 800yds just as easily as you could with the 308 at 100yds. It has been my experience that most folk using the 243/6mm on large game are indeed better shots and wait for perfect shot placement opportunities compared to those using the magnum class of cartridges so that in turn absolutely does make them the more ethical hunter!

 

[Calum]

Just Come on up to the NWT. Its alot closer, and you can use any of my guns that you want!!!! (although none are in .243 )

Thanks for the kind offer, it sounds like you northern folks have good hunting opportunities.

 

[MiG25]

The 243 begs for premium bullets IMO.

 

[TT_270wsm]

^100%. You are putting yourself at somewhat of a disadvantage with a smaller cartridge, not necessarily because of bullet diameter but because of lack of energy required to penetrate. Last thing you want your bullet to be doing is dropping mass as it penetrates. Stick to Barnes TTSX, Partitions, Accubonds, or whatever premium bullet you're comfortable with.

In my moose camp of ~25 guys (3 camps combined), there is one kid who shoots a .243, because of his size and ability to take recoil, and he is limited to <100 yards (usually sets up for a 50 yard shot). If he could shoot bigger, he would be. He is shooting Barnes TSX bullets, and I have no doubt that at that range with the right shot placement, he can ethically kill a moose of any size. Everyone else in camp shoots 270's, 7mm's, 308's, 30-06's and 300 WM's, and for a reason. If you're going to hunt moose or any larger north american game, get the right equipment. Prepare for the worst, in case your shot is less than favourable. Yes, practice makes a big difference, but in the field Murphy tends to rear his ugly head.

Also, There is a distinct difference in toughness between Deer and Moose, and although I've never hunted them, apparently there is another difference between Moose and Elk. If you're planning a hunt, get a bigger rifle. If you had a moose tag, happened to be out deer hunting with your .243 and a bullwinkle stops broadside at 75 yards? I wouldn't hesitate to take the shot (with the right bullet again).

 

[Bigfoot 870]

Everyone makes a "bad" shot, on occasion. I believe that animals over 250 lbs are off limits for the .243, because of ever present variables. Lots of other calibers have the energy required to break bones, the bones that we normally try to avoid. I think it's a great cartridge for medium game, but not for the big-uns

 

[AlexF]

243 Win is pretty much the minimal legal deer cartridge over much of North American and I can't see how this makes it a viable moose cartridge !?!?!
Why not use a 25-06 with a 100gr TSX if you're looking for a low recoil flat shooting large game cartridge?

Alex

 

[pilot2001]

Its a ripper little round ... it will kill anything , but its really only %100 proficient for kids shooting deer IMO. Its ballistically inferior ... Not at all on one my favorites but can get a job done for sure

 

[TT_270wsm]

I think it's appropriate to say that a sufficient amount of Moose have been harvested with the 30-30 to claim that it is capable of killing moose out to 100 yards, right?

30-30 2200 FPS muzzle, 170 Gr FP. @ 100 yards it has 1300 Ft-Lbs of energy.
.243 3100 FPS muzzle, 95 Gr @ 100 yards has 1731 Ft-Lbs of energy (nearly as much energy as the 30-30 has at the muzzle). With the right bullet, it can expand up to double its size, and retain enough weight to be lethal.

Like I said, it's not ideal, but it's not out of the question with the right bullet, distance and shot.

 

[Northman999]

Adequate, yes.

Ideal, no.

 

[TheTooner]

Same factors apply to any cartridge. Use a good hunting bullet, get close enough for the cartridge to drive the bullet in and close enough for you to hit the right spot and the .243Winchester is a good moose/elk round. (But there are better.)

If a fellow with a bow and arrow wants to hunt moose or elk, you'd think he should use broadheads that will penetrate deeply enough to reach the vital organs and do enough damage to kill the animal reasonably quickly and that he should get close enough to shoot accurately enough with a bow that has enough power to drive the arrow far enough in to do the job. (But a rifle in .243Winchester would be better.)

 

[BrotherRockeye]

You can bang your head all you want, it's not gonna change the fact that too many people are buying "long range" cartridges, taking questionable shots these days, when they don't have the skill to using the cartridges at those extended ranges. All because they read or saw on TV that with the .315 Laser Super Mag you could kill an Elk at 800yds just as easily as you could with the 308 at 100yds. It has been my experience that most folk using the 243/6mm on large game are indeed better shots and wait for perfect shot placement opportunities compared to those using the magnum class of cartridges so that in turn absolutely does make them the more ethical hunter!

that's not my head...

so if I use the .243 in my cabinet instead of the 300wsm will I be a more ethical hunter and a better shot?

Stating that a caliber can make a person more ethical or adept is idiotic.

I have been a bow hunter for decades. My shot selection has nothing to do with caliber. My ethics and ability don't change with the caliber I'm using at the time.

I do however understand the point you are trying to make and have seen it first hand.
There was a guy in our circle of friends years ago who couldn't hit squat with his 30-06 so he traded it off for a 300mag. It didn't help...at all. Fortunately he gave up hunting.

 

[Yukon1911]

I do however understand the point you are trying to make and have seen it first hand.
There was a guy in our circle of friends years ago who couldn't hit squat with his 30-06 so he traded it off for a 300mag. It didn't help...at all. Fortunately he gave up hunting.

Or the guys who have poor shot placement or suffer from Buck Fever that go from the '06 to a 300 magnum and then make the transition to 338 Winchester Magnum because they still have animals that run off somewhere to die later! I knew a guy who shot a moose in the nose with an '06 and expected the animal to drop!... went up to the .338 and believes that caliber is king. Seen this same guy make a 300 yard shot on a mountain caribou shooting for a heart lung shot because he wanted to cape and mount the animal, hit the poor caribou right in the side of the head.....lights out but had extra work to do to the cape to mount! After that episode, I would not let him make anymore than a 80 yard shot.......His partner had a BAR in .338 Win Mag.....lets just say these two are of like mind! I don't hunt with them anymore...

 

[VLT79]

that's not my head...

so if I use the .243 in my cabinet instead of the 300wsm will I be a more ethical hunter and a better shot?

Stating that a caliber can make a person more ethical or adept is idiotic.

I have been a bow hunter for decades. My shot selection has nothing to do with caliber. My ethics and ability don't change with the caliber I'm using at the time.

I do however understand the point you are trying to make and have seen it first hand.
There was a guy in our circle of friends years ago who couldn't hit squat with his 30-06 so he traded it off for a 300mag. It didn't help...at all. Fortunately he gave up hunting.

I wasn't trying to make a point...and in none of my comments did I state or imply that using the 243/6mm makes a hunter more ethical...what I said was pretty clear to anyone who took the time to read carefully. There's no perfect cartridge for every game or situation encountered...we can only hope is that the shooter uses what's between his/her ears before they pull the trigger on any animal, big or small, regardless of what they are using to try take them down. Sadly, today, we encounter the "I want those horns and I'm not just gonna watch them walk away without taking a shot" shooters more than anything else!

I realize I may have just throw another gallon of gas onto the fire but oh well...

 

[BrotherRockeye]

I've seen enough moose killed with a .243 and just as many wounded, only to die later, with the various magnum cartridges to confirm the cartridge can get it done with a doubt. Most folk using the 243 Win, or 6mmRem for that matter, are better shots than the magnum totters because they: 1) actually practice and 2) don't flinch because of excessive recoil! The 243/6mm shooters tend to be more ethical hunters because they wait for the perfect shot rather than take a marginal one with the misconception in mind that energy will make up for the less than ideal presentation.

You can bang your head all you want, it's not gonna change the fact that too many people are buying "long range" cartridges, taking questionable shots these days, when they don't have the skill to using the cartridges at those extended ranges. All because they read or saw on TV that with the .315 Laser Super Mag you could kill an Elk at 800yds just as easily as you could with the 308 at 100yds. It has been my experience that most folk using the 243/6mm on large game are indeed better shots and wait for perfect shot placement opportunities compared to those using the magnum class of cartridges so that in turn absolutely does make them the more ethical hunter!

I wasn't trying to make a point...and in none of my comments did I state or imply that using the 243/6mm makes a hunter more ethical...what I said was pretty clear to anyone who took the time to read carefully. There's no perfect cartridge for every game or situation encountered...we can only hope is that the shooter uses what's between his/her ears before they pull the trigger on any animal, big or small, regardless of what they are using to try take them down. Sadly, today, we encounter the "I want those horns and I'm not just gonna watch them walk away without taking a shot" shooters more than anything else!

I realize I may have just throw another gallon of gas onto the fire but oh well...

No fire that I'm aware of.
I'm not here to argue, and for the most part I agree with you.
I just took exception to a couple of the comments you made.
I don't need to read carefully, my comprehension is quite good.

FWIW, I usually have at least one .243 in stock

 

[Mighty Peace]

I prefer a larger caliber for bigger game like moose and elk, BUT my nephews have proven me wrong in the last 2 hunting seasons, each taking their first bull elk...both got a 5x5. Shots were between 110 to 130 metres. One bull was taken with 2 well placed bullets, the other took 1. SHOT PLACEMENT is key, for any caliber.

I use my 243 for my predator rifle.