This is not pointed at anybody who has posted here, this is just my feelings for every time this topic comes up.

I have always been amuzed when people tout the low recoiling nature of the .243 as a good reason to use it. Unless you are a very small shooter (ie youth or female) or have some kind of chronic injury - cartridges like the 7mm/08, .308 Win, or .270 Winchester really are light recoiling. I can shoot 100 rounds of anything up to .30-06 class without a sore shoulder or flinching. If you are recoil sensitive, buy a past recoil shield and head to the range. It will make a .30-06 kick about like a .223 Rem. I am also amuzed when I read comments about picking a .243 allows more accurate shot placement? Why? Chances are if you cannot shoot a .308 accurately, you won' t be able to shoot a .243 accurately either.

Step up to a .338 Winchester or .45-70 in a Guide Gun, and then you will see recoil from a .308 Win really is a *****cat.

I have not been impressed with what I have seen of the .243 used on deer. All deer were recovered, but they tended to run farther than what I am used to and leave a very poor blood trail compared to the larger calibers. I suppose if a .243 Winchester was all I had, sure I would use it; however, I think there are many better choices out there.