A .243 is the same as any other cartridge it has its place. I would call someone hunting deer, in the east, with a 300 win mag an idiot before I would call someone with a .243 If you can you should shot a .270 over a .243, just in the case something stupid happens. My grandfather is 70 years old, A .243 is all the recoil he can handle. My neice is 12 a .243 is all the recoil she can handle. It is a great low reciol deer cartridge. However, until I cannot handle the recoil I will chose a .270 over a .243.