Well the minimum recomended ftlbs of energy for a elk round is 1500Ftlbs, the 243 has over 1600ftlbs at 100 yards, so by the standard it does qualify for a 100-150 yard elk round. Like I said before the 44 mag has about 1050 at the muzzle, the 243 has more at 300 yards than the 44 does at the muzzle. RR I have to ask, how many elk have you killed? If you hit a elk in the lungs with a 243, it makes blood pudding out of it, it is dead. I dont care what cartridge you shoot a elk with, if you hit it in the lungs it is going to run. If you dont want to track it take a neck shot, it will drop in its tracks. Beleive me, I know from personal experince.