What caliber would best suit my needs?

[denton]

LOL! Didn't mean to start a controversy on the 243!

Being relatively unburdened by actual experience, I'm trying to narrow my error by learning from those who have more experience. And I do appreciate the comments of all who have posted on both sides of the issue.

Undoubtedly there have been many animals humanely harvested with the 243. But, as I read the reports, here is what I find:

Everybody agrees that the 30-06 and 308 are enough gun for whitetails, mulies, and pronghorn.

Everybody agrees that the 7mm08 is plenty for deer and pronghorn.

Everybody agrees that the 6.5x55 or 260 is plenty for deer and pronghorn.

There is disagreement on whether the 243 is enough gun for deer and pronghorn. Some people love it, with good reason, and others recommend something a little stouter, also with good reason.

Most everybody agrees that the 223 is not enough gun for deer and pronghorn.

I'm too old to go get 20 years worth of data, so, to be on the conservative side, I'm leaning more toward one of my 6.5x55's for pronghorn. In a modern, strong action, with "adult" loads, it comes awfully close to the MV of the 25-06... 3075 fps with a 120 grainer.