The 257 Roberts is an excellent deer round. I used one for several years and took many deer, coyotes, & feral hogs with it. I used handloads and not factory loads. However, Federal, Hornady, Remington, & Winchester load ammo for the 257. I had good luck with the Federal 120 gr. NPT when I first purchased my rifle. At one time Ruger chambered the UltraLight for the 257. My friend has one in 243 and for a small statured person this rifle would fit them well. His son is 14 and on the small side and this rifle fits him well and he can shoot it well. They use the Hornady 117 gr. BTSP load in his rifle.