There has been good discussion on the NEF Handi Rifle lately. Look at the Buying an NEF .223 thread. Most questions should be answered there. I have the Handi Rifle in .223 and it shoots fine. I am getting about 1" groups at 100 yds with my handloads. There are things that can be done to improve the accuracy of the rifle. They do not have free-floated barrels. I have not yet floated mine either, but have heard that an o-ring on the forend screw helps improve the accuracy some. I would not expect them to drive tacks out of the box, but with some work or good handloads, they can do quite well. Plus other calibers can be had in the rifle for not very much money at all. For someone to start deer hunting with, it would be a good rifle. They are also offering the youth model in the 7mm-08 caliber which might be better for deer with not much more recoil at all. My .223 with scope, (Leupold Rifleman 2-7x33) and Harris Bi-Pod weighs in at just under 10lbs, which should still keep the recoil down even for the larger calibers. Good Luck