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the .22Mag is slightly longer and has more velocity. I would reconsider the choice of calliber though ... I realize the .22 WRM is leagal up hear ( I'm from Maine too) but there are far superior choices out there.
Not knowing your daughter size I can only speculate but ... .44 mag, .30-30, .243 Win, 7mm-08.
NEF makes a youth model in the .243 W and that's what I started my son out with this last season. good luck to you and your daughter.

I own a 22 magnum, Marlin. It is deadly on squirrels, rabbits, and animals up to coyotes. Even though it is legal in Maine, I would recommend buying her a .243 or a .257 Roberts. They both have low recoil and killing power for a deer. Good luck!

"Playing under the table and dreaming"

I think you would be much better off with a little arger cal. rifle than a .22mag. That is not o say a .22mag can not kill a deer, but I would have to question the effectiveness of such a small cartridge on a consistent basis. If recoil is a problem, look into the .223 or .243.If these are still too much recoil for your daughter try the .22 Hornet. With the Hornet, it is a center fire at least and thus should have a lot more power than the little .22mag. You might even consider the .257 Roberts. If you do decide on the .22mag, I believe a neck shot at very close range would be the most lethal shot and then I would have to believe it should be done by an experianced shooter who also knows the bone structure of a deer and who can cut bullet holes with the weapon they are using. To me there are way to many disadvantages in "trying" to kill a deer with such a small caliber. You might also try the 7mm-08, it is a rather light recoil weapon and has a lot more killing power than the .22mag. Good luck on whatever you decide.

try the 22-250 a great gun not anymore recoil than the 22 mag and out to 150 yrds its deadly

Definately go for a larger caliber.Using a .22 anything on a deer is like the misconception that a .410 is a beginners shotgun...true, its recoil is mild,but you have to be an expert to HIT anything!! Look at the .243,7mm-08 etc,or find someone(or yourself) who handloads,and have some milder loads cooked up for whatever you have.

Broncos7

I agree with the consensus on this. Even though its legal, what if she wounds a deer and it gets away? This could dampen her enthusiasm for the sport. If recoil is a problem, let her practice with a .22 and then let her hunt with a bigger caliber, .243 or something equivelent. This will keep her from developing an aversion to the bigger rifle. I know that when the old adrenaline kicks in you could shoot a howitzer and not feel the recoil!

Edited by - Backstraps on 03/05/2002 04:47:51

I've killed a bunch of deer with a .222 Savage. Hit them right just like any gun and they go down.....

As others have said go with the larger caliber, if it is her first time hunting you do not want her to wound one, unless she knows exactly where to shoot and is an excellent shot the knock down power is to little with a 22mag. Remember even though she may be a crack shot, there is a thing called buck fever which can take the best shot and make them miss.

The Tazman

If she weighs over 75 pounds she shouldn't have any trouble with a .243, especially if it has a good recoil pad.