For a lot of decades, my .243 rifles have gotten the job done.
Not one animal ever told me it would have rather been shot by a 243 AI, so I'll stick with the standard 243 until they start to complain.
I compete with a Tac2 308, hunt with an R8 300WSM and predator hunt an Impulse Predator 243, topped with a Pulsar XP38 thermion scope, that costs almost 4x the Impulse rifle.
The Impulse is a great rifle, but it'll never be a Blaser.
It does however have the same straight pull action mechanics as a Blaser and is American made, so it'll be staying in the stable for a long time to come.
Just waiting for it to come back from the smith that's fluting the barrel to make it a little more svelte.
The barrel assy weighs in at almost 3lbs on the dot.
I don't know how much weight is going to be trimmed with the fluting, but anything will help.
The muzzle brake is titanium and very lightweight.
I use brakes on rifles for night shooting, as the noise isn't totally directed at the animal + less recoil has sometimes enabled me to get a second shot sometimes.
I'd would prefer using a suppressor, but being I live in a prison state, only criminals can have suppressors.
SJC