Duffy,
I love the .243!!! But I love the 6.5 x 55 just as much. I have loaded and bought 140 grain loads that seem to be just about the right blend for whitetails and larger. though I never have used them some guys have spoken of great whitetail success with 120 grainers. My 6.5 x 55 rifles are all military in origin so I don't try to load any screamer rounds. I consider the 6.5 Swede round as good as or better than the 7mm/08 for whitetails.