The problem for me with the smaller calibers is that eventually a buck you really want is going to show his face, the trophy of a lifetime, and you're going to be presented with a shot that is more than your gun can make. The deer will die, and you won't find him. For me, the .243 is marginal, unless you're an excellent shot (on game, not paper), and stick with good angles. I don't like taking chances on wounding any game animal, it's just irresponsible IMO, and I don't really enjoy crawling through swampy briar patches after deer that run 300 yards after the shot. I'll stick with 7mm's and up, and some variation of PSP bullet; thanks anyway, but no plastic for me.