My son shoots a hornady reduced recoil out of his .243. Killed a deer Friday with my brother in law that didn’t bleed a drop but it only went 30 yards. Killed a buck last year that didn’t take a step after being shot. Shot placement is the biggest issue with this smaller caliber. He hit the one Friday a little back but not quite a gut shot. My brother in law was dead set on moving him up a caliber but he isn’t ready for that I don’t believe, that is why he is shooting reduced recoils.