i have been hunting with a 243 for many years now and although most of the hunting with this rifle is varmint and predator i have shot a dozen or so nuissence(legal permits)deer with this rifle.have never had a problem with lost deer.but i will admit that shot placement is critacal.but then again it should be with any caliber.my personal feeling is if deer size game is your spacific target then your time would be better spent carrying the 270. but the 243 with 100 grainers will do a fine job.

Guys,

Thank you for your responses. I was looking at this caliber as something to hunt varmits with, as well as a gun that my son could use to start deer hunting.

dougk, i found a brand new older remington 700 youth in 243. i work for a friend in his pawn shop part time and found it hidden back in a corner. it is a older one. they are great for kids i am all ready looking for the parts to convert it to a bdl . i think it will be tough w/ its 20 " barrel for climbing stand hunting.