RE: .243 vs 7mm08
the only difference is the caliber. They are both based on a .308 necked down to either .24 caliber for the .243 or .284 caliber for the 7mm08. Since the 7mm is a bigger caliber you can get it in a heavier bullet and slightly more power but I doubt if you shot a deer with either one they could tell the difference. They are both great medium sized game rounds. If you wanted my 2 cents I would say consider their parent cartridge the .308, it has very mild recoil and is a little more versatile then either of them.