.243 and 6.5cm

Glock10mm

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Curious what people think about the 243 and 6.5cm for elk?
I'm taking my 11 year old son and my wife on their first hunts, they both are very recoil sensitive and nervous, I was hesitant when picking these calibers because I knew they would be light for elk, but perfect for everything else we will be doing with them, I didn't want to pick something too big and scare them away from shooting right out of the gate, but we are getting ready to head out elk hunting and im a little nervous, I've purchased some quality ammo for both and am hoping they do the trick, is there any advice anyone has for me? I'm hoping after they get more comfortable with shooting I can move them into something heavier!
 
Killed a big bodied bull at 280 yards with the 6.5CM two years ago with one bullet. 143eldx bullet.
 
I have twin daughters and they killed 5 deer and 5 elk from 12-17 years old youth hunting with a .243 WSSM good shot placement is all it takes. On the other hand if they shoot a 300 mag it doesn’t matter if they can’t hit when they are supposed to
 
W.a .243, buy a premium bullet....a Partition, or Interlock, maybe a Federal Fusion, or a copper bullet. I am pretty sure that several companies load copper ammo now.

If a .243 bullet starts breaking up, there isnt a lot left to do the job.

My 1st .243 elk, bullet was high, clipped a lung and hit the spine. It mighta cracked it (probably did), but life would been a lot easier if it would went down right there w.a a bullet thru the spine.

Btw, my kids have killed 3 deer and 2 antelope w.dat gun and next month my daughter will be using it for cow elk.
 
Also, my daughter shot a group w.dat gun, that was covered w.a penny.

Last deer was at 296....

Easy to shoot.
 
Agree with all of the above. I've been researching the same for my 9 year old. I'd think keeping elk under 250yds, and deer under 300yds will be key.

.243, 6.5CM, or also think about the 7mm-08.

I think Ruger and Savage make compact models for kids with threaded barrels for a brake. A brake would reduce recoil a bit, perhaps allowing for more power, maybe .308 or a modest quarterbore.
 
My son killed his first elk last year with our standard (not short mag) .243. As has been said already, a good shot is essential. Practice beforehand is essential and we used a shooting stick for stability. No running shots, quartering shots or long shots (I wouldn't shoot past 200 yards for elk, 300 for deer) and if you use factory ammo, buy something higher quality (not the cheap Federal for example). We used Winchester Super-X which isn't top of the line but is still good quality. Good fps with a good balance of structure and expansion. Went through the shoulder bone and still kept its structure and dropped the elk in its tracks.

These are all good principles for hunting in general, hopefully none of us are taking bad shots because we are shooting bigger calibers but sometimes that larger caliber gives people too much confidence and they are shooting when they shouldn't.
 
We got them dialed in last weekend, she's shooting the predator 6.5 w/ Vortex and my 11 year old is shooting the .243 with a burris and ill be shooting the model 70 300 win mag.
Hoping for success! Well at least one will be nice haha
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Bigger is better for elk. A .243 will do the trick but a 25-06 will do better and a .270 better yet, and a 30-06 better yet etc. etc. A well placed shot is a well placed shot but the variables we encounter during the hunt can be trying and I would rather have a little more firepower than not quite enough. I think a well placed 140 gr Partition in the 6.5 would be solid out to 300 yards.
 
I commend you on being sensitive to their recoil restraints. There is no sense in taking anyone hunting if they are too scared of their weapon to shoot it accurately. I think it's vital for new or inexperienced hunters to go with the idea that hunting is a fun experience and not something to be afraid of!
I first took my son hunting when he was 11. I started him out with a 257 Roberts and we practiced rock busting in the desert to get him used to all facets of shooting. He has since graduated to much bigger calibers but he loves the experience because he had fun early on.
Best of luck Glock and let us know how they did.
 
I commend you on being sensitive to their recoil restraints. There is no sense in taking anyone hunting if they are too scared of their weapon to shoot it accurately. I think it's vital for new or inexperienced hunters to go with the idea that hunting is a fun experience and not something to be afraid of!
I first took my son hunting when he was 11. I started him out with a 257 Roberts and we practiced rock busting in the desert to get him used to all facets of shooting. He has since graduated to much bigger calibers but he loves the experience because he had fun early on.
Best of luck Glock and let us know how they did.
I gifted Dad a pre 64 Win 70 in .257 Bob for fathers day last year. That might be his favorite rifle to shoot. An absolute pussycat to shoot and stupid accurate for its age. I dont think its got anything to brag about past 200 yards but its a neat gun. Maybe drag it to West Virginia this year.
 
Chuck D., totally agree the 6.5 143 ELD-X can reach out and “touch“ at a longer distance than 300 yards. That 300 yard distance was meant as a higher shot bench mark for a younger, beginning hunter.
 
.257 Bob. I like that. .257 Ro-bare(French). Haha.

The 143 eldx is a killer. I think the slower speed from a creed makes the bullet perform better.
 
Your starting off right. My wife and kids started with the 243 and dropped 3 cow elk, 2 Mule Deer and an antelope in the first two years of hunting, but I made them practice shooting at least twice a week threw the summer. Anther big factor for there success was using the Primos trigger stick and shooting under 250yds. I then moved all three of them into the 7mm-08 and they all shoot very well. There was no 6.5 cr at that time, which is very similar. Being steady in any situation is key in my book. They should know how to shoot off of a tripod with a pack braced under arm, and if shooting prone bracing the end of the butt stock so there is no rifle movement. Good luck, it’s a lot of fun hunting with family
 

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