deerslayer, The Sierra is a fine choice. As I mentioned in your other 243 post I also prefer the Hornady 100 gr SP in front of 40.5 gr of IMR4350. This combo has taken a fair number of whitetails for me with outstanding results.
As for the premium bullets I would have to agree with Wayne van Zwoll in his article "What to Believe about Bullets" in NA Hunter June/July 2003. This is a very good article. If I were you, I would try to get my hands on a copy of this edition. I know that writers have to make money through there published articles and I read them with an open mind. But this article makes a lot of sense.
You don't really want a bullet that blows completely through an animal. You are not utilizing all its potential energy. I, would rather my bullet do its thing inside the animal's boiler room, ideally stopping just under the skin on the opposite side.