There are some big 250lb+ whitetail deer in PA in the thick woods. Lots of guys use a 30-06 or heavier in the belief that they need to need to put them down fast. In Potter County for example, on opening day, if a hit deer runs 40 or 50 yards, someone else is going to put lead in it, then try to claim it. JD Jones wrote an interesting article that he sold a lot of 45-70 Contender (pistol) barrels to PA hunters who wanted to put down deer fast, with out them running far. Whether you think bigger calibers put down big whitetail deer faster, is a matter of opinion. Plenty of people do believe it though, and they surely practice it--right or wrong.
Funny, my kin has been killing PA deer for decades with 222 Rem's, 243's and a 22-250 in there.
I grew up in Potter County and have hunted deer in Pa. for over 50 years...all with a .243 or .260 Remington when I was rifle hunting. I've never had either caliber fail me on dozens of deer harvested including some very large ones. I am very careful about shot selection and shot placement though.
