While I'll stick to my .30-06...the .243 is plenty for whitetails...even here in WI.

"Dropping" a deer has alot to do with theplacement of the shot and a bit from the shockof the load you're firing. Worry more about shot placement and less about dropping the animal in it's tracks. While little or no tracking is always nice....it's part of hunting, and will make you a better hunter overall. If it was all about laying an animal down...we'd all be sporting .416 Rigbys.

Good day and good luck.