I have a Rem 700 BDL .243 w/ custom laminated stock. It's a fine rifle for taking deer. I would pick it any day over all these heavy magnum cartridges. Before one goes hunting he needs to learn to shoot, a good shooter is fine w/ a .243 for deer, shot placement is key. I think more people need to learn how to shoot, rather that blowing deer up w/ all these magnum loads.