243 for Moose/Elk
- Thread starter crash60
- Start date
- Location
- Whitehorse, Yukon
All I can say is pick and choose your shots wisely!
RC
RC
juanvaldez
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sudbury, Ontario
hehe!!
Although not my first calibre choice, definitely a premium monolithic bullet. Not so much with moose, but elk...those f##king things will run
and run
and run
when marginally hit.
Keep the shots ~200 ish yards, and wait for the shot. Given the wee bullet, I would definitely throw another round at it to hasten the demise.
and run
and run
when marginally hit.
Keep the shots ~200 ish yards, and wait for the shot. Given the wee bullet, I would definitely throw another round at it to hasten the demise.
- Location
- kingston Ontario
There is a reason I take an extra rifle when I go Moose hunting .. To lend to people that show up with varmint rifles for moose hunting...If you can not afford a moose gun at least borrow one .. The game we hunt deserves more respect than that
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
Answer this............
How confident are YOU with said rifle and to what distance?
Answer those questions honestly and you will be able to set your parameters for the use of the rifle.
How confident are YOU with said rifle and to what distance?
Answer those questions honestly and you will be able to set your parameters for the use of the rifle.
My thought is that it's too light for decent penetration through thick skinned game. Besides, they leave a rather small hole in game and make it harder to blood track - this I know for fact.
I wouldn't use a 243 myself as it isn't carrying much energy especially when your distance gets out there.
It is nice to put the big animals down right where you hit them and save yourself a lot of work and aggravation. I say this from personal experience....
Track down a larger caliber rifle if you can, even if you have to borrow it for the weekend! You will be glad you did!
It is nice to put the big animals down right where you hit them and save yourself a lot of work and aggravation. I say this from personal experience....
Track down a larger caliber rifle if you can, even if you have to borrow it for the weekend! You will be glad you did!
Yes. Like hunting them with a bow and arrow. You need to understand the capability and limitations of the projectile (and your own.) Then make sure you get close enough for the power that weapon has and close enough for you to be accurate enough.
I have a .243 and I have no doubt it will kill an elk or moose if used propery. That's also true of my .308 and .303 rifles, and they are a bit easier to use well enough, so I'll take those. If I want the challenge of stalking close enough for a sure kill with one shot of .243, there is nothing to stop me trying to get just as close with a .303 or .308 and then having an even surer one shot kill.
Don't go hunting until there is an inch or 2 of snow on the ground. It will make tracking a lot easier.
Not controversial enough, there are too many people who think 22LR is just fine.
My grandfather shot 50+ moose with a 30-30. All but one were one shot kills. A well placed 243 with the right bullet will so the job on moose.
I would expect a hunter with a 243 to be more careful and more accurate than a guy with, say, a 338 Mag. who might flinch or trust the bullet too much instead of placement.
Elk need a strong heavy bullet. Personally, I would not use anything less than a 3006 for elk.
I would expect a hunter with a 243 to be more careful and more accurate than a guy with, say, a 338 Mag. who might flinch or trust the bullet too much instead of placement.
Elk need a strong heavy bullet. Personally, I would not use anything less than a 3006 for elk.
I took 3 moose with 243 Remington accu bond 100gr ammo. All shots were made within 100m or less, perfect heart shoots. It will do the job no problem however range and shot placement is essential, margin for error is almost non-existent for this ammo and moose. Anything longer then 200m or moving target don't try on moose you will only wounded and may never recover the animal.
Phat Eagle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Fraser Valley, BC
I'm sure you COULD do it with precise shot placement, but I'm with Fiddler... I'd take nothing less than .30-06, and would prefer my .300 WinMag...
Let's say the big guy presents himself, you have your .243, but he only gives quartering away/toward angles, no perfect side-on shots. Would be able to tell yourself, in that moment, to not take the shot?
With a .308 or .30-06 these 'in the moment' decisions become a little easier, because the terminal ballistics have been considered and optimized.
A .243 rifle is the same size as a .308, and .30-06 is only slightly longer. The only reason you would not use one is you do not have one; fixed with as little as $300 or asking someone who will borrow you one.
My 0.02, offered free of charge. Happy hunting.
With a .308 or .30-06 these 'in the moment' decisions become a little easier, because the terminal ballistics have been considered and optimized.
A .243 rifle is the same size as a .308, and .30-06 is only slightly longer. The only reason you would not use one is you do not have one; fixed with as little as $300 or asking someone who will borrow you one.
My 0.02, offered free of charge. Happy hunting.
