DM. I have noticed that for years. I don't care what the paper says, In my expierence the 25 calibers are more effective on deer size game. The 243 with Nosler partitions works but not like the 25's. The 250 factory loads that I last used were 100 grain Super X silver tips. The only chronograph at 2605 FPS but are deadly as hell on deer. Much more so than my 100 grain 6MM's, At least past 100 yards on big mule deer.

Doe Dumper. I used the heck out of the 243 for several years. It was a caliber that I tried hard to like. I just saw it fail to many times until I started loading Partition bullets in it. I still don't use it any more on deer though because the 25's and up are just a much better tool. The 243 it great for Varmits and a better coyote gun was probably never made except for pelt damage. They may also work fine for the smaller whitetails. But from what I have seen they don't work like the 25-06 or even the 250 that my wife shoots. I will keep my 45-70 for the big stuff.