I started out with a .243 about 25 years ago.. I have since hunted with almost everything from .243-.338 win mag. In recent years I have sold off everything but two big game rifles. One is a Custom 30-06, that sits in a safe 99% of the time. The other is a .243 win that goes everywhere. You do the math for you, but my journey has come full circle back to the .243 win.