yep the .243 is a real good choice. I had one with a 26 inch bull barrel and it shot well. Where I hunt and where I shoot I love to use my 22/250. If I want a 600-700 yard shot likeI used to shoot in Colorado, the old 30/06 is pulled out. Growing up in Western Colorado we killed a multitude of Deer, elk, antilope and even a mountain lion or two with a Model 94 30/30 using a Remington 170 grain cor lok. I have shot Deer at 400 yards with it at times because I knew the rifle well. It is retired and lovenly cleaned every month. But just what ever a person wants to use. I just can't see packing a 300 mag up into a stand to shoot feeding deer at 50 yards when the 22/250 works real well. Good shooting!