The .243 can use all the help it can get for shooting deer, in the form of a premium bullet. Use the Nosler 95 or 100-grain Partitions if you can find a factory load that uses them. At the minimum, you should use the remington 100-greain Corelokts. A 70 grain bullet is much too light and frangible for shooting deer. You'd run the risk of blowing big shallow wounds in them, after which they'd run off to die unrecovered.

If you use the premium bullets you could go down into the 80/85 grain range. Nosler partitions, winchester failsafes or barnes X would be my choice. Otherwise go with 100+ grain bullets. Premium bullets DO make a difference.

I bought my .243 in 1980...until about 1995 all I used were 100gr CoreLokts..killed about 75 deer with...in 1995 I decided to try different bullets....over the next several years I tried every domestic factory load except the ballistic loads...all were 100gr except the Federal Premium 85gr Sierra BTHP....I want a bullet that will exit on broadside center lung shots, and go through both shoulder blades on high shoulder shots....They all worked....I have never lost a deer with my .243...and I'm up to about 125 killed...from 10 yards to about 235 yards...I would classify these as the "harder" bullets...100gr CoreLokts...100gr Hornadys and the 100 gr Federal Premium Nosler Partitions....the "softer" bullets (usually stayed in deer even with lung shots) were both brands of Winchester (Power Points) Federal Premium 100gt BTSP and the Federal Classic....I usually killed 5-6 deer with each...and would try high shoulder shots and broadside center lung shots....inside 200 yards...it doesn't matter...My favorites were the CoreLokts, Federal Nosler Partitions, Hornadys and the Federal Premium 100gr BTSP....

Now for the surprise........the Federal Premium 85gr Sierra BTHP....In my opinion it is The Bullet....especially if shots over 200 yards are anticipated...This bullet is actually harder than most soft point bullets...I didn't believe at first....but, a good friend has used for years....In last several years my group has killed 21 deer with this bullet...never lost a one...it will penetrate through both shoulder blades...and bust through both lungs...usually spraying blood on the way out...it has always exited on center broadside lung shots...from 35 yds to 235 yards....It is an awsome bullet...I even called Sierra...they said they get more calls on this bullet for deer as any 3 other bullets they make...Look at Sierra Newsletter Volume 7 Number 4...They explain why a hollow point is actually harder than most soft points....(exactly opposite of a pistol bullet) but it has to do with a harder outside jacket....This bullet seems to penetrate an inch or two before it starts to expand...soft points start to penetrate on impact...

Before I tried this bullet...I sighted in 2 1/2 high at 100yds with CoreLokts and with Hornadys....and tried at 300yards...they both dropped much more than the ballistic tables lead me to believe...like 8 to 10 inches...with the 85gr HPBT...I sight in 2 1/2 high at 100...I'm only about 2 1/2 to 3 inches low at 300....It is faster at 300 than any 100gr factory load at 200....so it has more energy also....

If your hunting style or area restricts you to 200 yards...this won't matter...but, if not....you might want to try the Fedreal Premium 85gr Sierra BTHP load...Its currently all I use...even if hunting in the woods where I can't see past 50 yards....Good Luck