As for the rifle I would sell it. I don't like .243. Trailed too many deer shot with one.
If you can shoot worth a s### and you stay away from too light or fragile type bullets like ballistic tips a 243 will consistently kill any deer in Alabama. I killed quite a few with a 243 and a 100 grain corlokt in my younger days. Never noticed that they ran any further on average than they do now with a 25-06, 7mm-08, 35 rem, or 45-70.
