T.R.
Member
My sister-in-law hunted elk, mulies, and 'lopes with a 257 Roberts for 3 seasons. No problems killing cow elk standing (unaware) broadside at approx 150 yards. In our family we always shoot an elk twice in the chest. The second shot is fired quickly.
But things went wrong the 4th season we hunted together. She shot a trotting young bull and the angle was less-than-ideal. Shot distance was about 80 yards. We chased it for miles before she got two more shots into the animal and ended it. After that, my brother got her a 7mm-08 and she shoots 140 grain Nosler Partitions. Although recoil is about the same, the 7mm-08 is a far better cartridge for elk.
I hunted twice at High Adventure Ranch in Missouri for cow elk. They used to offer late season hunts for $700. which is LESS than what we pay for non-resident Wyoming licenses + trespass fees. The Guide told me he does not like to see elk and boar hunters armed with .243 rifles. He insists on a close range neck shot to down the animal and keep shooting into the chest until he says, STOP.
I'm a big fan of the .243 for mulies and 'lopes. It shoots flat way out there and hits hard. But not my choice for elk. My elk rifle is a .308 shooting 180 grain bullets.
TR
