For many years I have had great confidence in a Win. feather weight .243 (1955 vintage). This year I bought a used Rem. mod 78 Sportsman in 30/06 and carried it all this season. I was able to kill a 200+ lb. eleven point buck from 240 yards with the '06. I'm not as conifident the .243 would be able to plant such a deer so solidly as the '06 did. My thinking is changing as I get older. 243's and such are too light, 30/30-35 rem.etc. limit range, 7mm & 30 mags overkill and they kick too much, something in between like 270, 30/06, maybe a .308 is just about right.