the light recoil of the .243 makes it easy to shoot, but its lighter bullet will be less than satsfactory on a hit that fails to reach the vitals. however a gutshot deer even by a .375 h+h will not result in a clean kill either.
but if the youth is sensitive to recoil, its going to be harder to hit the vitals in the first place. buying a bigger gun to compensate for a bullet sent off course because of a flinch, can be like fighting fire with fire.
more accurate, less power(243,30-30,260,ect..)
or....
more power, less accurate(270,30-06,308,ect...)
pick your poision!:mellow: