How much does a deer weight ?
Most states have .243 as the minimum caliber.
How much does a bull elk weight ?
You do the math.................................
You know I have posted the math on this several years ago. Minimum cartridges for game.
Average deer = 178 pounds
Average elk = 700 pounds
Average moose = 900 pounds
Average cape buffalo = 1800 pounds
Average African elephant = 12,000 pounds.
Average weights taken from tables available on the net.
100 grain .243 = .56 grains per pound of deer and 10.93 foot pounds of KE per pound of deer.
150 grain .270 = .19 grains per pound of elk and 3.83 foot pounds of KE per pound of elk.
180 grain 30-06 = .2 grains per pound of moose and 3.23 foot pounds of KE per pound of moose.
300 grain 375H&H = .167 grains per pound of buffalo and 2.36 foot pounds of KE per pound of buffalo.
300 grain 375H&H = .025 grains per pound of elephant and .355 foot pounds of KE per pound of elephant.
All ballistics taken from the Hornady web site.
In order to get the .243/deer equivalent on an elk you would need to shoot a 390 grain bullet at 2975 fps and generate 7650 foot pounds of KE at the muzzle. This is more than the 416 Weatherby generates.
To get the .243/deer equivalent on a Cape buffalo you would need to shoot a 1000 grain bullet at 2975 fps. and generate 19700 foot pounds of Ke at the muzzle. This is considerably more than what the 50bmg generates.