I also used the .243 for years on deer. My rifle's favorite load was 40.5 gr of IMR4350 under a Hornady 100 gr SP. I would really have to sit down and count the number of deer taken with that load as well as a few antelope. And every animal but one dropped where it stood. The one that didn't was a large old buck (164 lb dressed) that required a second shot as he was running away. The second bullet broke both shoulders like the originator's post and caused him to actually flip over as his front fell to the ground and his butt coming over his head. Later after skinning the deer it appears the first bullet must have had a flaw in it which caused it to literally explode on impact and disintegrated between the hide and rib cage - never entering the body cavity. One of those freak things I guess.