While I have never shot an Elk yet in the 2 or 3 years I hunted them, a few years back a bought a 243 chambered in a Win 760 pump gun.

The guy I got this 243 from said his nephew had used it to shoot 5 or 6 Elk over about a 10 year period and none had got away, but they were all shot at under 150 yards or so.

If I had to use a 243 I think I would just use the best bullets and best shot placement possible, I would rather use my 30-06 or 300 Win Mag with 165-180 Gr bullets.

So yes, I think a 6.5 with good bullets and shot placement should work fine.

Michael Grace