i dont have any exsperince with the 243, but i would not hesitate to take one mule deer hunting here in idaho. id actualy like to get one someday. from varmits to deer the caliber almost cant be beat.
i know nothing about the reliability issue(if there is one) with 6mm bullets not consistently exspanding. still i wouldnt hesitate. to load 75-100gr bullets for deer use. it would just depend on what the rifle liked best.
my main all around rifle is my 2506. it does everything so well from varmits to deer that i dont need anything else. recoil is pretty much nonexscinstent. its very acurates pushn home brewd pills and select factory fodder.
knowing what i know now. if i didnt have a deer rifle and was picking between the 243-06 class of calibers id almost certianly pick a rifle chamberd in a 257 caliber. the caliber just works and can be stretched with good sturdy pill and used on elk if need be.
but either way for deer hunting you couldnt make wrong decision by going either 243 or 257
Evan
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