It Is my opinion and backed by quite a bit of shooting with the 243 and 6MM Remington. that they are very good varmit rifles and not so good for bigger game. Although bullets have improved, they started out pretty iffy. It got me down an this cartridge from the start although I tried my best to like it. As a hunting quide those first years of the 243, I chased more wounded deer for clients using the 243 that all other calibers combined. The first 25-06 bullets had the same problems either they were to fragil and blew up or had jackets to heavy to open up. Bullets are better but I will never shoot at a deer again with this cartridge. Just to much bad expierence with the bullets. I class it with the 223 and 22-250 as a deer rifle. With perfect shot placement all three will work but I start at 25 caliber and up from now on. Good Hunting.