When i first started hunting i had a 243. it is an awesome all around gun, i shot 3 bucks with it and knocked em all down within 20 yards of where they stood except one that i just barely clipped in the lung that ran like 80 yards. plenty of knock down power and it also doesn't kick too bad which is perfect for a beginner because a gun that kicks can turn away some people. 
i loved mine and the only reason i upgraded to a 7mm ultra is to reach out a little further. i would definitely reccommend it
Those 7mm ultras are nice but the 25-30 lbs of recoil gets annoying after 5-6 shots. I had the STW but sold it.
haha
no kidding it kicks like a mule! it is a light gun too so it is even worse, my dad wouldn't let me shoot it until i was 11 because of that exact reason but he had a gunsmith put one of those really nice limbsaver recoil pads on it so it is a little better.
i used to hate sighting it in at the range, but it has grown on me and i dont even care about kick too much anymore, and if you can deal with a 7mm ultra, then nothing really bothers you after. but let me tell you, it has some serious knock down power! drops em right in their tracks.
