KsOkHunter24

I would start her of with a .223 and then move up to the .243 when she gets a little older

Mojotex

Too light for deer sized gaem .... in my opinion.

halfbakedi420

i was actually kidding..because in canada a deer will die from a 22LR..so a 223 aint the min apparently

Jacob Garrett

I have never seen a kid thats old enough to deer hunt that couldn't handle a .243. If the pop bothers them get ear plugs and if the recoil bothers them get a slip on limbsaver. I won't take a kid deer hunting with anything less than a .243 but I also hate loosing deer. It usually really bothers a kid if they can't find the first deer they shoot. You might let them shoot the 223 some and let them get used to it then step up to the .243 before you take them deer hunting.

deernmusky

I'll tell you what I am wanting to buy a .243 for her and That is what I will stick with. I think in my head I know a .223 is a little weak especially with a marginal shot. I was checking the recoil numbers and a .243 is actually only a few foot pounds more of felt recoil....So Hopefully next year she will be putting the smack down a big ol' Wisconsin Deer....Thanks Guys

halfbakedi420

the difference is HUGE... a whole .02

IndyHunter83

Ethically, I'm inclined to say absolutely no less than a 243 but IMO if bullet placement is good then I really don't see any type of problem with using a 223. I mean people kill coyotes out past 300 yds with them. If she can put 'em in the boiler room 9 out of 10 times then I don't see why it wouldn't work.

iSnipe

When our soldiers are fighting back having to kill to defend themselves against adversaries that can be 175lb-250lbs.+, they used the M16. That's designated 5.56mm.... which is very similar to the .223. In the right hands and shot placement, it's a deadly caliber. A .223 can be fired from a 5.56mm.

iSnipe

jeep4x4greg

i wouldn't count on 223 for deer.

Not sure on the type of deer hunting you do (open fields or denser woods)....but if your hunting is shorter range you could try a 357mag lever action rifle? lower recoil than the 243 in my experience.....a 44 mag lever action would work too but I've never fired one in a rifle so not sure how manageable the punch would be.

I consider 357 to be about as practical as a bow for deer hunting in terms of effective range...I wouldn't push it more than 50yds personally. 44 would be a bit more....maybe 80-100 yds?

iowabuckslayer

Just thought i would chime in here. My son weighs about 70lbs and loves his .243. I would suggest that practice time be limited to a smaller gun followed by a few rounds of 243 at some good reactive target's like large bottles filled with water. The reaction and anticipation of the bottles going BOOM is very similar to hunting in that you hardly notice any recoil. I would also add that they make great long range targets for dads.