I did not mean to upset anybody with my question.

I dont see the need to overdo things. If you can shoot a deer with a .243 as long as you shoot it well, why hit it with something so much bigger? Sure it may mean you have to get closer or wait for the deer to move into a better position but isn't thats what hunting is about?

I havent hunted in Africa or buffalo but they have been taken with lots of smaller calibers. 7x57, 7.62s, 8mm. A lot of the farmers there seem to use these sorts of rifles and do shoot buffalo and lion on their farms. They shoot their rifles all the time and know how they shoot. They also know the annimals they are shooting.

A lkot of the early exploeres also seemed to use smaller calibers. If it was so difficult how come they came through to write up their stories?

Meat damage is lessend by using mil ammo. I use it in my ,223 all the time. In the .243 a 90 grain solid also does the same job. Also results in minimum pelt damages.

I dont want to upset people but I do have a differnet opinion. I am willing to discuss and learn. I am interested in trying out some new ideas and was thinking of 44 or 444 in a lever action. I also think the ,270 is a good no bs rifle to own.