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 ..

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.

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.

That bullet does a fine job on deer James.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.