Took my boy 11 years old deer hunting last weekend and he used my 223 ultra varmint. Just havent felt good about it as far as deer caliber. I have killed alot of deer and antelope with that round but your shot placement better be good! Anyways, have been looking for a 243 youth handi for him before we go out next weekend. Found a ultra hunter in 308 at the gun shop a few days ago. After fretting over the recoil for a couple days and doing a ton of research, I went and got it. Stock had already been cut down to "youth size". Sighted in today with full power loads and then let him shoot it with the remington managed recoil load. He shot it well and it was right on so Now cant wait for next weekend! Love this forum, it has revived the reason I fell in love with the handi's originally. After deer season we will send his in for his own 223 barrel for varmints. One question, Does the ultra forend fit the regular handi barrel 223 fine? He wont need the extra weight of a heavy barrel.