My buddy got one to use as a youth rifle for his son. It kicks a lot less than his bolt action.308, but we couldn't get it toshoot reliably at the range. That may bebecause of the scope we put on it. I think if you can hit a deer with it you'll put it down. Just spend some time at the range making sure it will shoot accurately enough for your hunt and have a backup plan in case it doesn't. That is, don't wait until July to take it to the range. If you can't get it to shoot well in the spring, plan on hunting withanother rifle and spend the summer with that one at the range.