I'm in Missouri and any center-fire cartridge is legal. So .223 and up will work. She can hunt starting at 6, so that's not a problem either. My question isn't so much with the caliber as it is with the actual gun. I'm trying to explore all my youth rifle options other than the Rossi, and scoped-bolt action rifles. I've heard that I may be able to get a Thompson Center in a youth model, but I'm sure that's gonna be heavy as well? Any other ideas on makes and models?

Thanks for the help,
Nate