Rifle Elk Caliber and Bullet Choice for 2023

[Wy067]

Still have a stash of .30-06 Federal Accubond at 150grain that I'll be using.

 

[Elky Welky]

Of course we all know that elk are basically impenetrable with modern projectiles. So if I can get my hands on one of these before the season starts, I might actually get one this year.

 

[Carl]

2024 choices are uncertain for sure at this point, but if I don't get any new barrels between now and fall/winter it's most likely a Tikka 243 with 103 or 109 ELD's with my 22BR/88 ELD combo as backup. The 243 barrel is still relatively unknown, so it'll have to behave first. However elk are big, so the bar is relatively low.

 

[Carl]

The Seekins 6 Creed is a decent package too, but I like my Tikka's better and I suspect the Seekins might be off getting a fresh barrel this fall.

 

[Benfromalbuquerque]

.243 with 95 grain SST

So like Rite in the fuggIN hed?

 

[Lota lota]

Funny enough I've killed 8 bulls with a .243 (With the 95 Grain SST)...never lost a one. Farthest shot was 380 yards. My dad used to work/live in Alaska and that was the Inuit's "go to" cartridge. They even killed polar bears and muskox with them. Shot Placement, Shot Placement, Shot Placement.

 

[brockel]

Funny enough I've killed 8 bulls with a .243 (With the 95 Grain SST)...never lost a one. Farthest shot was 380 yards. My dad used to work/live in Alaska and that was the Inuit's "go to" cartridge. They even killed polar bears and muskox with them. Shot Placement, Shot Placement, Shot Placement.

That can’t be. Elk are damn near bullet proof

 

[Benfromalbuquerque]

Funny enough I've killed 8 bulls with a .243 (With the 95 Grain SST)...never lost a one. Farthest shot was 380 yards. My dad used to work/live in Alaska and that was the Inuit's "go to" cartridge. They even killed polar bears and muskox with them. Shot Placement, Shot Placement, Shot Placement.

Well my ChatGPT told me this:

The use of .243 Winchester for hunting polar bears among the Inuit is not a common or advisable practice. Polar bears are large, powerful animals, and using a caliber like .243 Winchester, which is generally considered suitable for smaller game, raises ethical and practical concerns. Polar bears require more stopping power, and a larger caliber, such as .375 H&H Magnum, is recommended for such hunts. It is crucial to prioritize humane and effective methods to ensure the safety of both hunters and the animals involved.

 

[Lota lota]

Well my ChatGPT told me this:

The use of .243 Winchester for hunting polar bears among the Inuit is not a common or advisable practice. Polar bears are large, powerful animals, and using a caliber like .243 Winchester, which is generally considered suitable for smaller game, raises ethical and practical concerns. Polar bears require more stopping power, and a larger caliber, such as .375 H&H Magnum, is recommended for such hunts. It is crucial to prioritize humane and effective methods to ensure the safety of both hunters and the animals involved.

Just telling you what I know...not saying I'd choose that caliber to hunt polar bears but right between the ears would probably do the trick.

 

[Lota lota]

Well my ChatGPT told me this:

The use of .243 Winchester for hunting polar bears among the Inuit is not a common or advisable practice. Polar bears are large, powerful animals, and using a caliber like .243 Winchester, which is generally considered suitable for smaller game, raises ethical and practical concerns. Polar bears require more stopping power, and a larger caliber, such as .375 H&H Magnum, is recommended for such hunts. It is crucial to prioritize humane and effective methods to ensure the safety of both hunters and the animals involved.

The dual-purpose .243 Winchester - Sporting Shooter | Everand

ANY line-up of the most popular centrefire rifle cartridges includes the .243 Winchester. Since the .243 Winchester’s appearance in 1955, it has been challenged by numerous newcomers, last but not least being the 6mm Creedmoor. Recoil of the .243 is

www.everand.com

Fourth paragraph in...just an example

 

[mtmuley]

No way in Hell I'm telling what I'm gonna use. mtmuley

 

[Elky Welky]

t is crucial to prioritize humane and effective methods to ensure the safety of both hunters and the animals involved.

I consider the safety of the animals involved when I shoot them.

 

[Dan-06]

I recently built a 6.8 western. I might use it to shoot them in the neck instead of my Swede.

 

[Don Fischer]

Funny enough I've killed 8 bulls with a .243 (With the 95 Grain SST)...never lost a one. Farthest shot was 380 yards. My dad used to work/live in Alaska and that was the Inuit's "go to" cartridge. They even killed polar bears and muskox with them. Shot Placement, Shot Placement, Shot Placement.

That's strange. I read one time where their go to cartridge was the 22 Hornet!

 

[danr55]

Well my ChatGPT told me this:

The use of .243 Winchester for hunting polar bears among the Inuit is not a common or advisable practice. Polar bears are large, powerful animals, and using a caliber like .243 Winchester, which is generally considered suitable for smaller game, raises ethical and practical concerns. Polar bears require more stopping power, and a larger caliber, such as .375 H&H Magnum, is recommended for such hunts. It is crucial to prioritize humane and effective methods to ensure the safety of both hunters and the animals involved.

Someone needs to read Roy's account of the Inuit polar bear hunt he went on. It's quite entertaining and a bit informative about the habits up there.

 

[danr55]

8x62 Durham Mag. with 200 gr. Nosler E-tip .. proven at 600 yards.

 

[44hunter45]

Focused on Shiras Moose this year. So any rifle elk will be by-catch with the 35 Whelen and Speer 250gr Grand Slam. Only 6x6 need apply. It would be my Best Season Ever to scratch a mature bull elk and a Shiras bull off the bucket list.

I have no doubts about the "...humane and effective..." abilities of the Whelen.