Reading a new book on deer hunting and the author raises an issue I hadn't heard of before. He claims to have processed a deer that was shot at close range (less than 50 yds) with a .243. The first shot, aimed at the chest cavity, essentially disintigrated into shrapnel and did no lethal damage. The second shot, a lucky brain shot, dropped it.

My question is whether or not this is "normal". I have a .243 and was using it this season. Didn't have any shots, but based on how the deer move in that area the shots would have been 40-50yds.

Wondering if that type of hunting is too close for the .243.