...Deleted by CalHunter...

That's funny because you don't know me from a can of paint to make that statement! FYI you'd lose a bet on that one buddy because I've shot over 100 whitetails, mulies, elk, antelope, and feral hogs since I started hunting in 1953 and have easily seen that many more shot by friends, LOL!

"I would put money on that more game shot with these mag rifles are wounded and lost on the average than are wounded with a 243, because people know there limitations and wont take shots of 500 yards or more."

I would agree that there are probably more lost with those other calibers than with a .243, but it's because there are very few people out hunting elk with a .243. I do agree 100% that a person should not shoot anything bigger that what he can easily handle without flinching, etc. To do otherwise or think that a big magnum is going to bail you out on bad shots is not proper thinking on ones part.