Another vote for the .243. When I am going for deer and such 100 grain Federal Vital Shocks do the trick, with little recoil. If I want more juice for bigger game then I need to play with the .308, .30-06 or .35 Whelen. Every caliber has its place. Everyone should at least have one smaller (.243, 25-06 etc) and one larger (.308, ,30-06 etc)..But then thats my personal opinion.