My .243 has a 24 inch barrel on it and there is minimal recoil...I'd also suggest that .223 or even a 22-250 and the 60 gr Partition...

Back in the late 60s I used a 22-250 for population control on our farms...While it killed deer, I knew it wasn't really a deer caliber after killing a few...

About 6 years ago, my younger brother picked up a 22-250 in trade, he remembered that I used to have one so he had me set it up for his daughter (13-14 at the time)...I picked up a couple of boxes of the 60gr Federal Premiums with the Partitions in them...My niece is now in college and has killed about a dozen deer with that gun, losing none and having exits on every one...

Most dropped at the shot to a high shoulder shot...

It would be great if you could find a local guy with a .243 and try it out...If he couldn't take that recoil I wouldn't hesitate to go to a 22-250...