I have both 243 and 30-30 lever actions (BLR and Marlin 336). I have killed whitetail deer with both. My son is eleven and finally is interested in shooting and hunting. Even though I have taken him and his sister with me before, it didn't click with him until now. I will progress him into one of these two rifles even though I favor the 336 because the stock is shorter and my first deer rifle was a 336.