ORIGINAL: James B

I would never recommend the 243 as a deer rifle so I couldn't give a thumbs up to its slightly bigger cousin. I put the 243 in the same company as the 223 and 22-250. It will kill deer just as a 22 rimfire will but while I was guiding hunters for quite a few years I saw more deer hit and run off not to be found with the 243 than all others combined. Most of the problem was with the first bullets that came out in that caliber. A problem that for the most part does not exist any more but I got real sour on it and don't expect that I will get over it. It is however a perfect varmit rifle.