Killed my first deer with a 243 @12. But will not let my daughter, be nice and nephew use it. Got a model seven 7mm08 for them. I feel much more comfortable with the 28 caliber 140 grain over the 24 caliber 100 grain bullet. With not much more noticeable recoil. I think the 243 is a fine varmit round, killed many ground hogs with mine and my dad's.