One of my favorite calibers that can do many different things depending on what and how you load for it...

Have loaded mine with 70 gr Ballistic tips with a mv of around 3550--works great on Prairie dogs and coyotes..have also used that same load for antelope many times ---have made shots one them using this load at slightly over 400 yards--please remember though, in my experience and the dozens I have shot, antelope die fairly easily..not even close to the same class as elk..

Have also used it on black bear--while I don't consider it an ideal caliber for black bear--again bullet selection and placement are important as always..--worked fine and also one shot as well...

Have a ranch client that has used only a .243 on elk for over 25 years---again, DON'T think this is the perfect caliber for game this size . Shot placement and bullet selection are critical..IMHO...--elk are very tough...and can travel for miles if not hit properly--personally for elk I use either a 300 Win, 300 Ultra or 338 Ultra..extremely effective..

Ripp