Ive got a Remington 710 in .243 that was my first centerfire rifle. Not the best action in the world, but it's a pretty accurate little rifle. I shot two doe with it, both dropped with in 10 yards so I've got no question about the power of this caliber, and now my 13 year old brother is hunting with it. He'll sit at the range all day and put round after round through it, he's about 5'9" about 135lbs. He says his .20gauge with slugs kicks harder than the .243.