First congratulations on a first GREAT season! You've accomplished a lot! I am not from teh west, but have some elk experience, so I will take a shot at your questions.....
Originally Posted by
Chimp38
1) Can I elk hunt alone? If next year is like this one, I will probably have to.
Of course you can, however, an elk is MUCH larger than a deer, hence much more work after you get one, having packing help is priceless! Plus with elk, you can call them, and again, a partner is helpfull here.
2) Is my .243 enough rifle to get it done if I get to say 150/200 yards?
I'll leave this to the more ballistically knowledgable, but my guess is no, not really enough power.
3) If I do need to buy another rifle, is a .270 enough? I am looking at an older Ruger 77 in .270 w/tang safety but I was also allowed to fire a guys .308 with synthetic stock and bull barrel w/muzzle break at the range and I swear it didn't kick more than my .243. I fired a 30-06 once and it knocked me on my butt and I was scoped b/c the person I was with didn't tell me to back off the scope and I'm considerably older now and just not up for it. I think I can pick up the .270 for $350 w/scope. I will replace the scope with something higher power but I can always trade or sell the other one.
Part of the felt recoil is how the gun fits you. For example, I have two .30-06's, one a semi-automatic, kicks pretty good. Another, a bolt, but with a nice recoil pad that fits me nicely, has hardly any felt recoil. On paper the semi should kick less, but it doesn't. a .308 and .30-06 should be about the same kick on equivalent guns.
Many elk have fallen to a .270, and it will work nicely.
4) Should I start physical training of some kind? I mean, I'm going to have to pack this possibly 600lb. animal out. If so, do any of you have ideas and practices that you use?
Not sure of techniques you used for deer, but elk are usually "go find them" hunts. You can post up on wallows and trails, but in general they are go hike until you find them animals. Packing, yes, you will need to carry it out, but if 600 lbs is the animal that's not what you pack out. However, you will have to pack out in several trips (here's where friends help)