No I would not let a 8 year old use a 223 for hunting. what I would do is get a H&R heavy barreld rifle. According to H&R's website it weighs 8lbs. Then get a 3x9x40 rifle scope and a sling I think the rifle would be close to 10 lbs. I do not think this setup would kick too much, and if it does you can put a good recoil pad on it such as alimb savers. Or possibally you could get a 308 use managed recoil rounds and put a mercury recoil reducer in it.