ORIGINAL: driftrider

I, personally, am of the belief that all .224cal cartridges are inadequate for deer sized game. Can they kill a deer? Yes, they can and they have. But just because something can be done, doesn't mean it SHOULD be. I'd wager that for every deer successfully recovered after being shot with a .224cal rifle, there are several that have been wounded or unrecovered. The problem is that you won't hear about those because most people who have done it won't admit it. I'd say recommend the .243. It's enough gun, won't beat up young or female shooters, and doubles as an excellent varmint cartridge.

Mike