I have a .243 that I have used for deer and antelope here in CO. Always dropped them right away. It's all about shot placement, not bullet size. You can have a 50 bmg and if you just blow a leg off they will still run away on 3.


I would go for a .243 or .308. Both are easy to find ammo for, easy to reload, plenty of energy and highly accurate to make a good ethical kill.


depending on where you are in Kansas I would get comfortable out to 300 yards. Learn to shoot off shooting sticks, or at least a bipod that extends high enough to shoot while sitting down. Prone might not cut it with the grass and what not.


as to a rifle, my wife and I each bought savage 111 trophy hunter XP with Nikon scopes with the BDC reticle. Great gun, awesome trigger and great scope. Tested it out this year on my antelope at 307 yards quartering towards me. Only place the buck went was straight down!