I'm 31 years old and haven't outgrown my 243 yet.

Another vote for the Ruger American in .243. I think all of you will get many years of enjoyment out of it.

I would suggest a Savage as that is all I shoot in terms of bolt guns (except for my Rem Model 7 243), but the American has the Marksman trigger (Accu-Trigger equivalent) at that price point where as the Axis doesn't not and typically needs a trigger job. Plus the bedding and magazine are a nice touch on the American.

x2 it's worked for my grandson, he's about ready for a full stock and regular loads. He's shot it 4 times while hunting and killed 4 deer. Last one was a nice 9 pt, his 1st buck and it's at the taxidermist, at 140 yds. He's confident with it and I think the reduced recoil loads helped him get confident with it. He's a skinny little dude

I know right lol

I still hunt with one all the time and know some straight up killers that only own .243s

7mm-08 is perfect. Got one for my fiancé and then bought another one and ended up hunting with it all season. She loves it and the reduced recoil would be perfect for them

Thanks for the input guys. Can't beat the advice you get on here.

There's nothing wrong with the 243 but for deer hunting you will be using bullets at it's upper range. I would rather start in the low end of the 7mm-08 and have the ability to go up unless varmints and coyotes were on the list too.

How about 7mm-08 availability in the stores? I won't be loading my own any time soon.

should be as easily found as .243

I've shot the regular,not reduced load Remington 120 hp's and I swear they feel like less recoil than 100's in my 243.

If you are ever up toward Haleyville give me a shout and you can shoot my 7mm-08 and see.

You wont walk into any walmart and find it but just about every other sporting goods place will have some. AW and Fusions are easiest to find for between $19-25 in store.
Locally Academy, Gander Mt or basspro have always had some on shelf when I passed thru there.
Online will be $15-21.

I bought my wife a ruger m77 Hawkeye compact in 243 and it is a really nice rifle but I doubt you'll find one for $300-$400. I just happen to get lucky and buy hers from a friend with a 3-9x50 leupold for $400 but before I found it I was looking at getting her a ruger american compact in 243.

7m-08 can get reduced recoil, excellent white tail caliber

I dont know a lot about them, but my nephew used low compression bullets out of the bigger caliber rifles and had good success. I dont think they are good after about 200 yards as I was told.