The point is a .223 with a 40gr V-max will kill an Elk when shot in the lungs at 100 yards but probably not when shot in the shoulder, at least you wont find it. Then take an 06 with a good hunting bullet like a partition or an x bullet and shoot it in the shoulders, guts, Texas heart shot, etc. and the odds of finding it are going to be a lot greater. So just because a .243 will kill an elk most of the time doesn't make it an elk gun. As a hunter who takes the sport seriously you should not go into the field under guned for your benefit and for the animals benefit. No caliber or hunter is capable of a 100% clean kill count, but it is our responsibility to try, and your not trying when you are hunting Elephants with a .22.