all around caliber

Winchester

Winchester

Veteran member
Mar 27, 2014
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Woodland Park, Colorado
You are implying that CC's son is "...the nut behind the trigger".
That's not a very good way to convince those of us on this forum who've benefitted from CC's wisdom.
Perhaps you might try a nicer, and more courteous, approach.
 
JimP

JimP

Administrator
Mar 28, 2016
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I'll start off by saying that I have shot more elk both cows and bulls than most on here will even have the chance to shoot.

In all the ones that I have killed I could of used a 22-250 on some and not on others. I prefer to have a rifle and caliber in hand that is capable of killing one no matter what the situation is and for that I would eliminate the .243 along with the .22-250.

I actually think that for elk you need to start at the 6mm's or the .25 calibers and up just for the bullet weight.

But the point is mute, the OP is going to buy a 30-06 so perhaps we need to start a new thread about the merits of the .243 on elk and weather you like it or not.
 
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Colorado Cowboy

Colorado Cowboy

Super Moderator
Jun 8, 2011
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Dolores, Colorado
BuzzH said:
Hard telling not knowing...

What I do know for sure, is that lots of calibers get lots of bum raps, when the nut behind the trigger is fully to blame...seems your example is no different.

For the record, 100 grain partitions, of the .243 variety, have a reputation for busting bones and digging deep...seen that too.
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Sir...I resent the implication "nut behind the gun" statement in relation to my post and my son. My son is an excellent shot and we are talking about caliber vs stopping power on an elk. No question in my mind and experience the OP's original caliber option of 30-06 is much better than a .243 for most elk hunters. Why get argumentative and insulting when you know absolutely nothing about the person you are referring to?
 
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BuzzH

Very Active Member
Apr 15, 2015
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Winchester said:
You are implying that CC's son is "...the nut behind the trigger".
That's not a very good way to convince those of us on this forum who've benefitted from CC's wisdom.
Perhaps you might try a nicer, and more courteous, approach.
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Yeah, I know facts don't seem to matter and nobody wants to discuss those.

There aren't many "nuts behind the trigger" that haven't had things go sideways...and in about all those cases, its the nut to blame...not the rifle, not the caliber, not the wind, not an earthquake, etc. yours truly included.

Sure sounds like the case in CC description...you blame the caliber because the elk wasn't shot in the right spot. About like blaming a spoon for being fat...just doesn't make sense. I can assure you, that in 95% of the cases, shot placement is the issue, in the other 5% its a bullet issue...all of which are the fault of the guy pulling the trigger. Self reflection isn't easy, placing blame on something else, anything else, is wayyyy easier.

You shoot a bull elk in FRONT of the shoulder, I don't care with what caliber, and its probably going to be a chit-show. There seems to be a common belief that a bigger rifle compensates for poor shooting and iffy shot placement...its just not the case, except in perhaps fantasyland.

The three most important things to consider, when killing elk, again no matter the caliber...is shot placement, shot placement, and shot placement pretty much in that order, give or take. Somewhere after that...bullet construction.

I've tried it all...from .243 to .338 and about everything in between...69 elk later, head stamps and calibers mean a whole lot less to me than shot placement and bullet construction.

Still shake my head when caliber selection is blamed for crap shooting on game, funny stuff.
 
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BuzzH

Very Active Member
Apr 15, 2015
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Colorado Cowboy said:
Sir...I resent the implication "nut behind the gun" statement in relation to my post and my son. My son is an excellent shot and we are talking about caliber vs stopping power on an elk. No question in my mind and experience the OP's original caliber option of 30-06 is much better than a .243 for most elk hunters. Why get argumentative and insulting when you know absolutely nothing about the person you are referring to?
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Nobody said you're son isn't a good shot...he just didn't make a good shot on the elk you're talking about. It happens, and a bigger caliber wont clean up a bad shot...nor was the rifle/caliber to blame for that bad shot.

IMO, the OP would be better off with a .243, 6mm, 260, 7-08 or even a 308 than a 30/06...for all kinds of good reasons.
 
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Colorado Cowboy

Colorado Cowboy

Super Moderator
Jun 8, 2011
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Dolores, Colorado
The elk happened to be facing slightly towards my son and the shot was off about an inch as he started to turn .

If I said what I thought about your "nut behind the trigger" statement, I'd probably get banned from the Forum....just go back to sleep pard!

The point is if it had been a .30 caliber bullet (almost twice as heavy as a .243) it would have driven thru the bone and into the chest cavity producing a much quicker result.
 
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BuzzH

Very Active Member
Apr 15, 2015
909
952
In fairness, and for discussion...I reckon in ONE case, in the last 36 years I've hunted elk, the bigger rifle/caliber perhaps did make a difference.

Of course its the rifles fault that I hit the tree the elk was standing behind, sure as heck wasn't my fault...

Its been my contention that if I would have been packing my 6mm that day, instead of the .338, the elk would have been just as dead, because that ruger m77 6mm, it knows better than to collide with a tree first...I just cant control these rifles, they have a mind of their own...



 
Hilltop

Hilltop

Veteran member
Feb 25, 2014
3,847
2,230
Eastern Nebraska
Chase, I think you made a great purchase and agree completely with your choice. I would love to see a picture of your new setup!

Don't mind Buzz... He just gets grouchy occasionally. Somebody must have shot his favorite wolf.
 
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AKaviator

Veteran member
Jul 26, 2012
1,819
1,084
One nice thing on this forum is the "ignore" function. Some people, who's caustic opinions mean nothing to me are on it, I value C.C's!
 
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BuzzH

Very Active Member
Apr 15, 2015
909
952
Colorado Cowboy said:
The elk happened to be facing slightly towards my son and the shot was off about an inch as he started to turn .

If I said what I thought about your "nut behind the trigger" statement, I'd probably get banned from the Forum....just go back to sleep pard!

The point is if it had been a .30 caliber bullet (almost twice as heavy as a .243) it would have driven thru the bone and into the chest cavity producing a much quicker result.
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Maybe, maybe not, nobody will ever know, all speculation.

Like I said, shot placement matters...and things happen.

Its part of it, still not a valid reason to blame a rifle, caliber, or bullet though.
 
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BuzzH

Very Active Member
Apr 15, 2015
909
952
Hilltop said:
Chase, I think you made a great purchase and agree completely with your choice.
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Yep, used the 30/06 a lot myself, still own a couple. Its alright.

Have heard it said, and find it to be true, the worse cartridge based on the 30/06, is the 30/06...

If I were to go that route, 280 AI for the win.

Still wouldn't go anything but SA if whitetails were what I hunted mostly...with the occasional elk.
 
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AKaviator

Veteran member
Jul 26, 2012
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On the opening page under "settings" then along the left side. It helps keep the civility to a generally wonderful forum group!
 
JimP

JimP

Administrator
Mar 28, 2016
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I don't like the ignore setting, it leaves big gaps in the conversations usually and I wonder what went on. I guess I'm a little bit nosy that way.

I usually just don't respond when it starts getting out of hand as some conversations will do.
 
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xtreme

Very Active Member
Feb 25, 2011
859
4
Searcy, Arkansas 72143
I agree with the post about using sa for deer. I would want more caliber and bullet weight for elk. Under no circumstances would I want a 300. I am too small for that thing and flinching is no way to hit precisely. My 7 mm is one of my favorite varmit guns. Why? Because it is so easy to shoot accurately. This year the 243wssm is the deer rifle of choice, but for bear it’s the 7mm.
The 3006 and good bullet selection should be adequate for anything mentioned
 
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Spudman

Member
Jun 12, 2017
144
2
Idaho
My favorite all around, do it all rifle is my .284 Firebird Lazzeroni...it's basically a 7mm mag on steroids!
 
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