The .243 was the only rifle I had for over 15 yrs and I used it for everything I hunted,deer, antelope,wild boar,mule deer, varmits. You will get a lot of answers as what is best, in my search for the all round(deer bullet) I ended up using Nosler 85 grn solid base or partition. 45 grns of imr 4350 makes it whiz out of a 22" bbl. I also used the 85 grn speer. For me it worked fine, never wounded,tracked or lost an animal and I shot some antelope at ranges no one would believe. It's not a giant killer but neither is it inadequate for deer sized game. Just put the bullet in the right place.