RE: .223 for 8 yr. old for deer?
 

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 ..

RE: .223 for 8 yr. old for deer?
 

If you are gonna use one...thats the way to do it right there. Picking good shots and good bullets. Pro-line thats about what mine will do. Thats plenty good accuracy for hunting with a ml. I have been shooting the 300 hornady's in mine lately.

RE: .223 for 8 yr. old for deer?
 

I shoot the 300 Grain Hornady XTP in my T/C Woods rifle. It was the fore runner of the Black Diamond. It will group 2-3 inches at 100 yards. Thats about as good as I can do with any open sighted rifle.

RE: .223 for 8 yr. old for deer?
 

That bullet does a fine job on deer James.

RE: .223 for 8 yr. old for deer?
 

.223 is illegal for deer in Kansas. But hey, you could always use a .30 carbine!

RE: .223 for 8 yr. old for deer?
 

Never get a 243 maybe a 223 i would perfer any 30 cal.

RE: .223 for 8 yr. old for deer?
 

Never a .243...maybe a .223??????

Where's the logic in that? A smaller bullet traveling marginally faster makes a .223 better?

RE: .223 for 8 yr. old for deer?
 

I would buy her a 223 and take her to the range once or twice a month. Girls either shoot great or for some reason never shoot well at all.
Be prepared to take a second shot on the animal after she shoots. Shecould make a bad shot & get too excited to make a quick second shot? I wish her the best of luck. I know the 223 can do the job.

I would like to see you consider the 25-06 for her, second rifle. The 25-06 will give her a edge over the 223 & 243, for deer hunting. The 25-06 would also be a good back-up deer rife for dad.:) Just incase something everbrokeon your rifle or scope?:)

good luck,

WK

RE: .223 for 8 yr. old for deer?
 

I would go with the H7R(New England) Handi Rifle (wieghs 5.25 pounds) in the .243. Bought my wife one (she's 5'0" and 98 pounds) and she had never shot a centerfire rifle. She has taken 2 does with it.

The same rifle in a 7mm-08 with the cabelas recoil pad would probably be ok.

I don't know about the .223 never owned one, never hunted with one.

RE: .223 for 8 yr. old for deer?
 

Just a suggestion, but if I was going to buy a rifle that shoots a .224 bullet I would get the 22/250. It can be used for coyotes with a 45 grain 4000 FPS bullet or down good sized der at 300 yards with a 70 grain at about 3500 FPS. While the .223 is a good round the 22/250 will offer so much more and has the same recoil.