I killed my first deer with a 30-30 and my son killed his first 3 deer with the same 30-30 at ages 6, 7 & 8...........I bought him and his sister a 243 and they hunted with it for 2 years and now they have a 7-08 they will begin using this year. I gave the 30-30 to my son and hopefully one day when he grows up and has kids they can get their 1st deer with the 30-30.