mtmuley,
I agree a light VLD in a RUM isn't the best choice for close range as they will expand rapidly. They'll still get the job done but not the best choice. Put a 190-210 Vld and slow it down a bit and I wouldn't hesitate.
I Know a few people voice concern about elk shoulder bone and just blowing up at close range, I'm not saying it hasn't or doesn't happen but I've never experienced it just blowing up and not penetrate. Maybe it's because I don't shoot them in the shoulder. At close range it's either a neck shot or right behind the shoulder.
Using the 190s in my 300 and 168s in my 7 they have performed great and are nasty killers like you stated of the 243.
There will always be disagreement of what a hunting bullet should do. Some people think a bullet should retain nearly 100% while others like me like the vld concept. They both kill.
I shot the Barnes for years and thought it was the way to go. Which I will agree if you want to shoot an elk through both shoulders it's the way to go. After a few bad experiences I started looking at other options.
Using both bullets I've found a few things that I like better about the VLD. Yes both bullets kill them just as dead when shot through the boiler room. But the VLD does more internal damage, which comes in very nice on the not so great shots. The thing I don't like and have witnessed a few times with Barnes is if you hit them a little far back, or not so perfect shot, the animal will go a long ways before a recovery, or not find it at all because the bullet pencils through leaving one hole. The same shot with a VLD does a lot more internal damage,causing a bigger wound channel and they don't go far.
90% of the animals I kill are 200+ yards. For my style of hunting I feel it's the best option. The further the shot, the more the VLD shines over the other bullets. I have killed elk and deer under 100 and the VLD still works great. Those that want to find a slug with 100% retention will be dissapointed. Yep, the Barnes is a better way to go for 50 yard shoulder shots. I try to avoid the shoulder no matter what I'm shooting.
I'm not trying to convince people to use them as I really don't care. People need to use what they have confidence in and put the bullet in the kill zone.
It just cracks me up hearing those that say the VLD is not a hunting bullet and only for paper.... LMAO!!!