I grew up with a 243. Over the years I've had excellent luck with the Hornandy 100gr btsp they hit like a truck for deer and coyotes. I've tried loads from most manufacturers with my Rugers, for me the best accuracy and consistent performance on animals has been with hornandy 100gr btsp and 95gr sst. I've killed multiple deer with both loads, my favorite was the hornady light mag from several yrs ago, they were 100gr interlocks and deadly!!! I still shoot the 100gr load today, I've killed deer from 30-300yd with them and never had an issue with penciling through or a shallow wound. Looking back of the three deer that did more than flop at the shot I've only had one run more than a few steps and crash, that was on a 360yd shot and she ran to the bottom of the hill about 60yds. It was a very steep hill...lol I've made neck, head and double lung broadside as well as slightly quartering to and from shots with them never for a second felt under gunned or had any hesitation. There's a nice 9pt on my wall that will testify to the abilities of this bullet. He was shot at maybe 30yds walking, as he passed under my stand. He was beginning to quarter away, bullet hit high shoulder on the left side blew through both lungs and his heart and actually lodge right under the skin on the far side, it had fully mushroomed out and absolutely juiced all the soft tissue in between. If there's a testimate to the consistancy and killing ability of a bullet that's it, hands down it did it's job. He hit the ground like a rock his feet kicked twice and that was it, this deer was about 220lb field dressed he was a tough old buck.
The 243 is an excellent choice and with the right load will efficiently kill deer at distances further than most people should be shooting. If you tuck a 100gr interlock behind the shoulder of a deer it's game over. They might not drop on the spot, but I assure you they won't run far and you'll have a blood trail a blind guy could follow.
