To each his own. I have seen to many hunters try to hit an animal even at 300 tards to condone shots that long with such a light bullets. The only good thing is that most hunters couldn't come close enough to an animal at 500 yards to even hit it and wound it. I have seen a lot of first time steel shilouette shooters who can't come within 50 yards of hitting the 500 meter Ram which has a body about the size of a deer. I am all for 500 yard shots at targets but not at game animals. The 243 will seldom knock down the Ram at 500 meters. Just not enough bullet weight. A lot of guys tried their 243's including me.