Yup! Burns out barrels better, too!
There is no debate that the 243 Win is harder on barrels than the 223 Rem. Also, the vast majority of my varmint and predator shot opportunities are under 300 yards. Thus I use the 223 Rem more than any other caliber for varmint / predator hunting. But I still have great admiration for the 243 Win perhaps because I my long history with the cartridge.
Barrel wear on the 243 Win can be minimized by managing shot sequence and carefully reloading. I have a Rem 700 that has over 3,000 rounds through it and it still hold a 1" group at 100 yards. Granted, that isn't varmint grade accuracy out past 300 yards but it certainly serviceable for varmint / predator hunting at 300 yards and under. And still very capable for deer size game. At least for me, 99% of my varmint / predator shot opportunities are under 300 yards at the farms where I hunt. Also, my effective range is limited by my field shooting style, i.e. shooting off cross sticks. So this rifle, even at that shot count, is still serviceable for me.
Also, I hunt eastern ground hogs so its not like hunting pdogs out West where you're burning a lot of rounds in one hunting trip. I certainly would not choose a 243 for pdog hunting but for the one rifle hunter, the 243 Win is very useful as an all purpose caliber here in the east, i.e. varmints / predators / deer.
I've managed my shots at the range allowing the barrel to cool between shots and I believe that this extended the life of the barrel. Also, you don't need to load to maximum to obtain excellent velocity and accuracy. For example, using my favorite bullet, the 85 Sierra BTHP, an all purpose bullet, moderate charges of IMR 4064 gives me velocities in the 3000 to 3100 f/s range with excellent accuracy.
Slow burning powders like IMR 4350 also produce excellent accuracy and higher velocity but at the cost of considerably more powder. If you believe Sierra's remarks on barrel life, the more powder the more barrel wear, then lower powder charges can enhance barrel life.
