RE: First deer 243 and questions
I just started using a .243 caliber this year after years of shooting a .270. I loved the .270 as a hunting rifle, but just hated target shooting because of the recoil and noise. I have killed many deer with the .270 that didn't exit out of the opposite side. Usually the bullet actually goes out the opposite side, but the skin stretches and catches the bullet. It depends mostly on bullet placement. If the shot goes into the shoulder or hits backbone, the deer will usually drop right there. On a lung or other organ shot, the deer will usually go a short distance before running out of gas. Even a heart shot deer will many times run a short distance. The best deer rifle I have for dropping deer on the spot is my Model 700ML .45 cal. For some reason that gun really drops them.