.303 with the brass plate was my first rifle and only rifle for about 20 years, worked great and still does. With that brass buttplate the kick is about the same as my .338 shootin 250 grains..........

You can get a plate from the gunshops that replaces the flip up site and serves as a scope mount. Mine was about $50, a couple screws and you have an instant dovetail rail without drilling for mounts

If the barrel is good the only other thing I found to keep an eye on was the bolt itself as they can gum up fairly easy and not lock down proper. Great first gun, cheap and reliable and prepares you for future finer items