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Yankee Doodle · November 17, 2011, 10:11 AM

Over the years, I have hunted whitetail deer with numerous calibers. Mostly in a revolver. I have taken deer out to 75 yards (most were much closer)with the following;
.44 Spl.
.44 Mag
.45 Colt
.45 ACP
.454 Casull
.357 Mag.
.38 Spl. (one time only)
I have just acquired a .243 rifle that I am going to be using this year. I have been reading that the .243 is "barely adequate" for deer, and a more powerful caliber should be used.
Am I missing something here? None of the calibers I have used in the past are even close to the energy and penetration of the .243. What gives?

November 17, 2011, 10:11 AM	#1
Yankee Doodle Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Posts: 619	Perhaps a stupid question Over the years, I have hunted whitetail deer with numerous calibers. Mostly in a revolver. I have taken deer out to 75 yards (most were much closer)with the following; .44 Spl. .44 Mag .45 Colt .45 ACP .454 Casull .357 Mag. .38 Spl. (one time only) I have just acquired a .243 rifle that I am going to be using this year. I have been reading that the .243 is "barely adequate" for deer, and a more powerful caliber should be used. Am I missing something here? None of the calibers I have used in the past are even close to the energy and penetration of the .243. What gives?