Last year I bought my 12 year old a Remington model 7 youth rifle in .243,and he took his first deer with it adoe at about 70 yards. I loaded him some Barnes 90gr. X-bullets for it,he made a great behind the crease of the shoulder shot.The bullet exited the other side but the exit was only the size of a dime,it took us almost an hour to find her because there was hardly any bloodtrail at all to follow.The deer weighted 117lbs. field dressed on certified scales.Now finally to the question,with the 181/2 in. bbl on this gun what do you recomend I load for it this season that will expand because I won't be using the x-bullet out of it .Any idea how much velocity this short barrel is loosing compared to the 24 and 26 inch barrels that are listed in the load manuels. I can use all the help I can get,my son is reved up and ready to hunt and shoot a new load. thanks for any help!!!