My 12 year old son has been using a 270 for 3 years and loves it. I set him up with a Thompson Encore with a T/C custom shop 24" heavy varmint barrel, a 2# Mike Bellm trigger job on the receiver, and a Simms Limbsaver pad on the butt stock. He can shoot 1" groups all day off a bench with Winchester Supreme 140 gr Accubonds at the range and has never missed a deer. Good luck with your choice.