I have rifles capable of deer hunting, 45-70 lever, .325WSM bolt, .300WM bolt, and an AR in 5.56. Do you see what I see in that list? I figured you would.
I'm in Mn. swamp buck country, I'll overlook a slough or may be in rather tight timber, maybe a twenty some acre field. A .243 is pretty much unacceptable to me, would be as bad as owning a Chevy truck, could be a character defect. If the Marlin was flatter shooting I could live with it in bliss forever more.
Knock yourselves out fellas.