ELKampMaster

IMHO, NoMercy's two posts about say it all.

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
EKM

bambikiller6

30-30 is great for deer comes in some nice guns and you might not see a lot of them new in anything other then lever but you can find tons of used bolts if thats what you want

Tree climber

Ryban ; the question not yet ask , why do you want a gun other than the 243?

the 243 is a good gun for deer size animals.my wife and myslef have taken many,many,deer and hogs with our 243's.

it also works great for varmets with a lighter load out to 250 to 300 yards.
good luck on finding what you want.

bronko22000

ryban, looks like you got your answer. The .260 or 7mm-08 would be my choice. Check out the Remington model 7 youth. It has smaller stock dimensions to fit smaller shooters. Not sure if Ruger or Browning make a youth model. You could always search the net and find out. Good luck and practice with your new rifle when you get it. Not only on the bench, but sitting down on the ground too and prone, and even off hand.

Nomercy

Muchas gracias EKM for the support, Never known you to be afraid of any cartridge based on reputation....good to know there are others out there that know their rounds/guns well enough to think beyond the myths...

As for why I'm replying once again....I just wanted to voice my support for the Mauser rounds mentioned, namely the 6.5x55swede and 7x57Mauser, and I'll throw in the 8mm Mauser...I've owned and hunted all three, and can attest that they're every bit as versatile (especially for the reloader) as the .270/.308/.30-06 class....shooting those LOOOONNGGGG bullets of the 6.5swede is always interesting, and having a over .30bore (8mm) kick like a pop gun and kill like a sledgehammer is a dream...These three are quite mild in recoil, comprable to a .270 at worst-although certain "HEAVY" mausers will make them feel like .22lr's-but like I said, they're quite capable down range.

Not many of today's youth appreciate the "old mauser rounds", I won't suggest you buy one in a Modern arm, although they're a great choice for kids and adults alike even in modern arms, but I remember being 14, I built over 100miles of fence and nearly killed myself breaking colts that summer to scratch together enough to buy a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44mag, buying a Ruger in 7x57 or 6.5x55 will set you back $400 give or take $100 for new ($500) or "well used" ($300), buying a Mauser can be as little as $100 (I bought a 8mm three years ago and a 7x57 last year for $100 a piece, the 6.5x55 I bought was $130 which included the Mauser scope blocks-can be a high dollar item). Just take someone who knows guns to the shop with you and check it out for you and make sure the gun's in good shape, you'll never be sorry owning one of these Mausers. The Mauser action has been known for being the most inherently accurate action out there, and for good reason. Buy a Masuer and a good scope and you'll still have money left over to take a gal to dinner and a movie, and pay your older brother to take you vs. buying a Modern gun in the same cartridge, and you'll wind up with a timeless gun besides.