For the talk about shooting big holes through deer and hogs in TX, from what I know, deer in TX and other hot places are relatively small. That's smaller bones and body mass. While hogs aren't much different.

Elk are very large, large heavy boned, rugged animals. Even with a much heavier caliber and good bullet placement, there is no guarantee the animal won't keep running like nothing hit it. Some calibers and heavy loads like .300 WM, .338, and other calibers with ammunition with the power and a slug with characteristics that can penetrate, break and go through the heavy body of an Elk's boned (e.g. shoulders) bring them down sooner, with a good placement. But imo .243 doesn't meet those standards. Sure it's been used to kill Elk and probably a number of other animals that it's not designed for.

I think from the majority of reactions you've seen posted, it's best to leave the .243 for shooting coyotes and smaller animals. For deer maybe. For Elk, no.