For smaller calibers, I like the .25-.06 and 7MM-08. Have them both and like them alot.

I like 7mm-08.

+1

This is in no way the best all around caliber IMO. It's overkill for pretty much every animal in Texas.

Unless, of course, you're just a horrible shot.

In regards to the OP, my wife's grandad used to hunt elk with a .243 for 20+ years in Colorado. And it did the job just fine as long as the shots weren't over 200 yards or so. Great caliber for Texas.

But my vote goes to the .270.

I love both. Most people would be more comfortable with The 243, but I am extremely confident in my 22-250 with the right people behind it. It's the shooter, not necessarily the gun. Meaning shot placement. Not gonna turn this thread into that, unless someone else does lolol, but whatever.

Go with 243. 22-250 leaves very little margin for error, because unless you have a good bullet that blows away heart/lung/liver or center of neck, you may not have your kill. Also, 243 has both "deer bullets" and "varmint bullets" whereas the 22-250 mostly only has the latter, with a few of the former.

.30 caliber bullet weights from 150 -220 and you can download it for Texas or upload it and go after moose, grizzly, brown bear, take it to Africa, or shoot it at very long distances. It is an extremely versatile round.

X2, based on ammo availability. Can run heavier bullets if you'd like. Sufficient out to 300-400 yds which is more than enough

The best all-around caliber/cartridge is not open to argument. It is actually, factually the .30-06.

Based on ammo sales and reloading component popularity, the old Springfield is still the leader (although I understand that the .223 is gaining ground).

So if you desire the "best all-around", you will want a .30-06. But if you are firmly set on either the .243 or .22-250, I would go with the .243, but with the understanding that it has significant limitations, especially when you hunt outside Texas.

Best "all around" caliber for Texas: .270 Win.

Best "all around" caliber for North America? .300 Win Mag

Best "all around" caliber for Africa (plains and dangerous game)? Trick question-because you're gonna need two. My two would be .300 Win Mag and .416 Rem.

Because we're talking "all around", if you're going to err, you should err on the heavier side....

YMMV

.243, without a doubt, when you see that deer at 568 yards, at 3 minutes before legal shooting time, and you know it's not a 4 point, you need to be like the rest of us and be able to drop it in its tracks. Yes to the .243.

I like your choices except Africa. Since you are backed up by a PH with a heavy gun when hunting dangerous game, I'd say .375 H&H is a good "all around" caliber.

I agree. But since I had to include elephant in my mind I bumped it up to .416. I actually have a .416 Rem and am anxious to shoot it to see how it compares recoil-wise to the .375. (I will never hunt elephant but may hunt Cape buffalo someday...)

How many foot-pounds of energy does a .243 bullet have at 568 yards?

I get 850 at 500 with a 100 grain bullet. Probably means something on the order of 725-750 at 568 yards. Not much energy left for a deer "dropping in its tracks."

The .243 is not a long range mid-sized game cartridge. It is a shorter/mid ranged deer cartridge and an any-range varmint round.

A little under 1100ft lb at sea level.

Would depend on how hot you load it. I used to load them like a fire breathing dragon.

Over kill comments equal Sissy Shoulder.

This

Back to the original post. OP never mentioned long range or Africa, or elk, or moose, only does. And probably coyotes and hogs since should all kill coyotes and hogs ever opportunity.

Yall have two tires in the ditch. Get it back on the road.

While I personally wouldn't use 243 for deer hunting many will but it is a very versatile round. I love it for yotes.

OK, I'm no expert. But I can google. I've googled 5 ballistics charts now and nothing is even close to that.

Regardless, if one advocates a .243 as a deer hammer at distance, one is mistaken. Even 1100 ft lbs. ain't "hammering" anything.

731 ft/lbs @ 560 yards right now, Melissa, TX. DA 300', 87 gr VLD.

I've taken roughly 75 deer with a .243 with no issue , most less than 200 yards, a couple out at 300. No problem with turkeys, yotes. I have had big hogs run off on body shots. I only shoot them in the head now. I gave this gun to my son who uses it now. I shoot a .270 the last 10 years. I have been very pleased with it.

Hit him right between the eyes.

That's roughly a 357 magnum at the muzzle.