I have been shooting the same 243 since I was 13. All the deer I killed with it were just as dead as the ones killed with other larger calibers. I have never had a deer move more than 10 steps from where they stood when I pulled the trigger. Anybody that says a 243 is not enought gun for whitetail or is marginal just doesn't get it. You don't have to have a elephant gun to kill a deer.. Because it is not an elephant.. If your looking for a good bullet for the 243 try the 85 grain BTHP from Federal.