That's what I'm experiencing right now. I'm 16 and use my great grandfathers .243 long rifle for deer hunting. ( I live in PA). Also a 12 gauge for turkey and small game which is nice. The .243 is really long compared to other guns that I've handled. I wish I could get pictures but my grandpa would ask me what I'm doing in the gun cabinet and I don't feel like explaining the internet to him tonight. The .243 is so old and it's made by an old British company; you have to pull the trigger and hold it to take the action out which is extremely odd. My rifle is all stock as well, never composite. It's so heavy, especially when I hunt with a group of people and I'm on a mile long drive in the thicket and snow (fuck that). Hell we're talking about optimal stances for firing guns in this post and I can't remember one time where I actually had the chance to pull my rifle up in the proper manner and get all proper for a nice clean shot. I mainly hunt in wooded areas and have killed deer on the drive before that seriously jump right up in front of you because you stepped on there bed. The visibility is so shit with the snow usually and all of the brush.
I responded because I've been to ranges before supervised by the military for people to come and sight in their guns. Lots of private collectors come and allow you to shoot their guns, it's so awesome. I've been able to shoot guns such as the M240 Bravo and a .50 caliber sniper rifle. In small town PA 90% of people own guns.
The biggest caliber rifle I've shot is a 30-06 (besides the .50) with 210 grain shells. A few hunting buddies of mine have 7 millimeters and they look so nice but I have no interest in getting one as I'm soon out of high school and will be done hunting once I join the Army. I've never hunted big game so my handy .243 has served me good these past few years. I'm giving that rifle to my kid if I have one, it fits a kid so much with it's barrel break ( I know, a barrel break on a .243, it's loud as hell but basically zero recoil).
It's weird to actually see a fellow hunter on here for once. :)