I would say no. Deer, particularly white tail are the most commonly hunted game animal in NA. A 243 can handle that task with aplomb. My buddy runs a Rem M700ADL 30-06 and I run a Ruger No.1 RSI. Same load out of each gun across the chrony and my RSI runs about 50-75 fps faster with a 2" shorter barrel. Might have to do with how I broke in the barrel or maybe I just got lucky. I happen to like the RSI as to me it carries like a nice upland game double. It carries,swings and points nicer than any other rifle I've owned. Too petite or not adequate? far from it.