ORIGINAL: JagMagMan
You'll hearmixed opinions, here's mine: For deer sized game, even hogs, the .243 is a great minimum caliber! Notice the key words great minimum! Not, "it will barely work and then only if I hit 'em between the eyes!"
There is not a whitetail on Earth that could tell the difference between a .243 and an '06 with good bullets and good shooting out to about 250-300 yards! Which, unless you arehunting right-of-ways or fields, is about as far as most shots will usually be!
x2 not saying i would do it but elk have been taken with a .243. a .243 will bring down the largest whitetail with no problem.