Elk at 688 yards with a 243

[freefall]

I have no idea what you are talking about?!

Ah, so sorry. Somebody else used the hate word. I lack the patience to go back and see who it was.
At any rate, I'm tired of this dead horse. All you "experts" who like to shoot living creatures at 1000 yds, have at it.

 

[rookhawk]

A few different complaints in the thread. To summarize:

-The shot is too far (I agree, just get closer, that applies if it was a 22PRC or a 50BMG)

-.243 is too weak. I don't agree, all things being equal, those 6mm bullets, the heavy 105gr ELD-X bullets will certainly penetrate.

-There wasn't sufficient energy at those distances. Again, I prefer closer shots, but I'm not convinced the lethality of the 243win with a 105gr at 600 yards is that different than a 7x57 or a 6.5CM. I lump them all together thinking it should have been a closer shot as others have suggested, but energy vs penetration is a tricky thing. I'd take less energy and a better bullet with a higher BC any day. (e.g. I'd prefer her 243 setup to a 7x57 with a 175gr on a perfect broadside where there is insufficient energy for either)

 

[Forrest Halley]

A few different complaints in the thread. To summarize:

-The shot is too far (I agree, just get closer, that applies if it was a 22PRC or a 50BMG)

-.243 is too weak. I don't agree, all things being equal, those 6mm bullets, the heavy 105gr ELD-X bullets will certainly penetrate.

-There wasn't sufficient energy at those distances. Again, I prefer closer shots, but I'm not convinced the lethality of the 243win with a 105gr at 600 yards is that different than a 7x57 or a 6.5CM. I lump them all together thinking it should have been a closer shot as others have suggested, but energy vs penetration is a tricky thing. I'd take less energy and a better bullet with a higher BC any day. (e.g. I'd prefer her 243 setup to a 7x57 with a 175gr on a perfect broadside where there is insufficient energy for either)

I think it was a poor choice to use a .243 for this shot.
That isn't a 600 yard shot. It's a 700 yard shot with a 12 pace rebate.
The bullet is doing ≈1900fps with ≈830 ft-lbs at 690 yards. Is that something you would shoot an elk with offhand at 200 yards? I'd like a bit more energy just in case...

 

[Inline6]

I think it was a poor choice to use a .243 for this shot.
That isn't a 600 yard shot. It's a 700 yard shot with a 12 pace rebate.
The bullet is doing ≈1900fps with ≈830 ft-lbs at 690 yards. Is that something you would shoot an elk with offhand at 200 yards? I'd like a bit more energy just in case...

I'm not sure what numbers you are running. I'm not saying anyone would want to take a shot at an elk with 830ftlbs. What I will say, no matter the numbers crunched, or our feelings on the subject. The fact is, it was a one shot kill and that elk dropped in her tracks. Nothing can take that away. That is a fact, it is on camera we all got to see it. The rest of what we think are opinions.

 

[Forrest Halley]

I'm not sure what numbers you are running. I'm not saying anyone would want to take a shot at an elk with 830ftlbs. What I will say, no matter the numbers crunched, or our feelings on the subject. The fact is, it was a one shot kill and that elk dropped in her tracks. Nothing can take that away. That is a fact, it is on camera we all got to see it. The rest of what we think are opinions.

That's the muzzle energy calculation at 5,000 ft elevation 30°F and assuming 3050 fps MV on a 103 grain ELD-X bullet with a .512 G1 BC. Did I make a mistake somewhere? Other than 103 vs. 105 grains?
Fact is it wasn't a responsible shot with the set up. Fact is she got away with it.
Yay for the PRS and the consequences of "Miss! Reengage!" Good for her making the shot. We'd never have seen the video if she screwed up. Have a great day.

 

[Inline6]

That's the muzzle energy calculation at 5,000 ft elevation 30°F and assuming 3050 fps MV on a 103 grain ELD-X bullet with a .512 G1 BC. Did I make a mistake somewhere? Other than 103 vs. 105 grains?
Fact is it wasn't a responsible shot with the set up. Fact is she got away with it.
Yay for the PRS and the consequences of "Miss! Reengage!" Good for her making the shot. We'd never have seen the video if she screwed up. Have a great day.

They were using a Berger 105 VLD which is a G1 of .545. My guess is that bullet was going over 3150fps.

 

[Rickmt]

Very common here in Montana. While I respect the skill it takes to shoot long ranges, I don’t like the increased possibility of wounding.
The highly technological world we live in is leading all of us down a dark path in many ways.
Get closer !

 

[SFRanger7GP]

It was a self promoting stunt. No respect for hunting or the animal.

 

[steve white]

A few different complaints in the thread. To summarize:

-The shot is too far (I agree, just get closer, that applies if it was a 22PRC or a 50BMG)

-.243 is too weak. I don't agree, all things being equal, those 6mm bullets, the heavy 105gr ELD-X bullets will certainly penetrate.

-There wasn't sufficient energy at those distances. Again, I prefer closer shots, but I'm not convinced the lethality of the 243win with a 105gr at 600 yards is that different than a 7x57 or a 6.5CM. I lump them all together thinking it should have been a closer shot as others have suggested, but energy vs penetration is a tricky thing. I'd take less energy and a better bullet with a higher BC any day. (e.g. I'd prefer her 243 setup to a 7x57 with a 175gr on a perfect broadside where there is insufficient energy for either)

Agree, but let me take it one step further, and this is not just to get a rise out of Bob Nelson 35 Whelen--I don't think the 243 should be used on elk AT ANY RANGE. It is marginal for elk at the get-go.