I don't have a problem shooting larger game with smaller calibers, but just because a .243 will kill and elk doesn't make it an elk gun. You Don't judge a caliber on how it performs on a good hit, rather how it performs on a bad hit. I would shoot a deer with my .223 with a 60gr partition, but that does not make it a deer rifle. I have 7mms and 30s for that. The .243 is a varmint caliber and low recoil deer caliber for women and children. The .260 is better for a low recoil deer gun anyway.