I am planning on useing it in sc and ky in both those states the law is any centerfire cartrige can be used to hunt big game. I'm not a rookie hunter just a rookie to handgun hunting. I've seen plenty of deer killed with a 243 but I'll never use it on a deer because I feel it's too small. I've seen my dad kill 5 or 6 deer with a 45LC useing silvertips I just didn't kno about the swc i want to be as humane as possible I can honestly say I've only ever lost 1 deer cause I rushed a shot and I try to never let that happen again. I have a 44 magnum and nay just use it. I've killed one with the 40 and feel it's too small I just thought the 45 was big enough.