My daughter, this is her first year hunting and used her 223 with 55gr TBBC and killed 2 deer each ran about 30yds. I agree it is not the best deer caliber but she is small and does not like recoil. So I feel that if she sits with me and we choose deer with nice shots and pass on ones with questionable shots the 223 will be fine. I think it is better to get the kids in the woods before they get interested in other things and don't want to try hunting ..