After witnessing and seeing photo reports of all the animals that have fallen to the 143 ELDX launched from a 21" Fieldcraft, I also cannot go for anything with more recoil. That combination has done a few safaris now, and the large and tough plains game that have been taken cleanly was all I needed to see.
I'm still undecided on the 143. I'll shoot a few does in the next week for further testing.
I shot a buck last week at about 85 yards. The hole in the hide was bullet diameter, but the inside of the entrance was golf ball sized. The off side meat was exited, but not the hide. I searched for the bullet, jacket and/or core. Didn't find anything...
The deer died within 30 yards though! I can't complain too much.
