Hate to keep saying it but the 7mm-08 all the way. a 243 will kill any deer out there but the 08 is about the same in recoil but kills them way faster and is way more forgiving. I took a few with the 243 and was not impressed, as far as quick kills. I used Rem. 100 gr. cor-lockt. If you go with the 243, put a good broad side hit on him, then watch where he runs for as long as you can. More likely than not it wont leave alot of blood. Good luck.