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My 11 y. o. daughter is a little thing, What would be a good 200 yard+ elk gun for her?
(She weights about 75 pounds right now) and she wants to go elk hunting next fall. She got her first deer last fall, but her .223 is certainly too small and I'm worried her mom's .243 is still a bit light as well.
Thanks everyone, some great suggestions here and I will look into them. The .308 was listed on my original question but I guess I edited it out. It is the rifle I'm looking at, though I won't give up on the .243. That is because I have seen a lot of big elk taken with that rifle; and that was before some of the great new rounds were developed. I'm sure the 90 grain Hornady SSTs will get the job done no problem. But the .308 gives that little bit more margin for error I think.
9 Answers
- 4 years agoFavorite Answer
Rifles chambered in .243 have a great trajectory for long range shooting, but they lack the power to take down elk consistently without perfect shot placement. Considering the many factors involved in hunting large game, the .308 appears to balance them all and provide constant results none the less. I'd suggest getting a .308 which fits her well and isn't too small or too large. Make sure she is farmiliar with it too and it doesn't scare her.
Happy hunting!
- lostupnorth715Lv 54 years ago
It's important to follow the laws of your state regarding minimum muzzle velocity or however they state the regulation for elk. Now... that aside a 223 is certainly fine for elk but 200 yards is expecting a lot out of a light bullet like that. My advice is to not worry about gun and focus more on getting her a good up close shot so she can place the bullet right where it needs to go. A 223 in the vitals will certainly take down a elk.
- Anonymous4 years ago
Find her a .257 Roberts or a .250/3000 Savage with a quality 4X scope.
100 - 120 grain Nosler Partition bullets would be a good choice - much better than a .243 WCF.
The 7X57 Mauser with 140 grain spritzers would be even better if the slight increase in recoil is tolerable.
- AndyLv 74 years ago
How about black powder Elk hunting? Other than that I'd say a .308 or my favorite,a .30-06 hand loaded with a slightly reduced load till she gets used to shooting it. .243 is too small for Elk.
- John de WittLv 74 years ago
If the gun fits her (and a stock fit to her size will admittedly assure a quick growth spurt!) the cartridge shouldn't make much difference to her, but it will to the elk. I'd suggest that 308 WInchester with premium 165 grainer in the load would be a fine choice.
- SMLv 64 years ago
Paul, go with a 7mm08 with a 140 grain bullet. it's a 308 necked down to a 7mm and there is hardly any recoil either of the three rifles I use.
- Anonymous4 years ago
No, you should not use a .243 for elk. Sounds like you are trying to push her too far too fast. Until she can consistently shoot a .308 or .270 accurately, stay with deer.
- ArcherLv 74 years ago
In many states the 243 is the smallest caliber allowed but if one loads a 100 Gr. bullet right, teaches her to hit where she is aiming (bullet placement) it would be more than sufficient.
