In a survival type situation I would shoot deer with the 223 in a heart beat, but during normal hunting I prefer at least a 243. You can get a nice semi auto 243, and that will cut down on the recoil some. If that doesn't do the trick you can have a muzzle break put on it. I would think that the first time, heaven forbid, she hits the shoulder and that little 223 bullet blows up and her deer limps away she will have wanted the 243.