So I just got back from hunting the Highlands of Scotland for Red Stag. I had a spectacular time and was able to take 3 great old management stags from 8 to 10 or so years old, 6 to 10 points and all weighed in at 250 to 300 lbs (113 to 136 kg).
Interestingly it was getting more expensive than I cared for to bring my own rifle so I made arrangements to use an estate rifle.
I show up the first day, the head stalker takes me to the range, points out a metal deer target around 100 meters out, tells me to get into the prone position, dry fire several rounds to get used to the Tika (Sako) rifle with an 8x Swarovski scope and then hands me a bullet to load and send down range.
I look at this little cartridge only to find it's a 243 Winchester and the cartridge is loaded by Sako with an 80 grain copper bullet.
The first thing I thought was "BOB WOULD NOT APPROVE"!
I fire a round, rifle hit where I aimed and we are off to the mountains to start stalking.
First day, first stag, 150 meters away broadside. I aim behind the shoulder the deer takes the impact, hunches, walks five steps and falls over stone dead.
Second day, second stag 200 yards broadside. I aim behind the shoulder the deer takes the impact, hunches, trots 30 yards in a half circle and falls over dead.
Third day, third stage, 225 yards broadside. I aim half way up shoulder. Bullet hits a little low, deer starts to walk away. Stops at 250 yards quartering away, I put a bullet behind the stomach up through the liver. Deer hunches, walks 25 yards over the hill and we find him almost dead in his bed around 75 yards from the first shot.
Not sure how the first shot missed the heart but it did. Second shot took out his liver.
Keep in mind I've taken a few whitetail deer with the 243 but never have I been a fan to use it on anything more than 100 lbs (45 kg).
But h*ll, it certainly worked with these 80 grain coppers!
The stalkers tell me they use it cuz people can shoot the 243 without flinching and when you put the 80 grain copper where it belongs the stags go down in short order.
So there you have it. Say what you want, think what you want, but I'm convinced that this caliber can get it done on a nice sized beast if you put the bullet where it belongs.
Sorry Bob!