My wifes first deer was with a .223. The bullet didnt have enough energy to pass throught the other side. Bullet ended up bouncing off the rib cage and went up to snap the back bone. Dropped the doe on the spot, but if it had not hit the back bone it would have been a hard track with only the entrance hole.

When you answer to the .223 questions includes "In the right hands" then it should be obvious that the answer is an emphatic NO in the hands of a kid. End of story.

I have killed or seen killed many of deer with all types fo 22 caliber center fire..

When a fellow hunter says he has trained his daughter for a year and has shown marksmanship by iterating "is actually very accurate with it", that is not something to be taken lightly. I have faith in him to oversee his daughter's welfare along with the integrity of hunting to teach what is right. To foolishly say in reference to her, is not in the right hands, is an insult. I have faith in deernmusky to safely show his daughter the ways of handling a gun. However, when faith is not in one's own life, they can't have faith in others.

Rock on deernmusky!

iSnipe

Use the 60 gr Nosler Partition and she will be fine...

Most on here have no experience with the .22 centerfires and deer...

I have to chime in too.

In my experience, ethics must play a part in the choice of caliber. I'm sorry hawkeye, but the .223 is not IMO an ethical choice for deer hunting no matter the experience level.

A persons accuracy plays a good part in the the ability to kill an animal with a given weapon. However, at 11 years of age, the excitement level of seeing the first deer blows the ability to accurately shoot a weapon out the window. We have all been there, and many have missed that first deer because of "buck fever".
We have also wounded a few, I would hate for deernmuskies daughter to lose her first because of a poorly placed shot, or lose it because the deer didn't pile up immediately.

Berate me all you want, but the .223 is NOT an ethical choice for deer hunting.

[QUOTE=deernmusky;3480027]Let me first say that I know this thread is going to start a huge debate. I live in Wisconsin and this year they just introduce a Mentored hunting Program for 10 - 11 year olds to start hunting. I have a 10 year old daughter who I think really wants to hunt. She is pretty small framed and petite so I dont want to kill her or scare her off with the recoil. She has been shooting a .22LR for about a year and is actually very accurate with it. So now I have to introduce her into her deer rifle but I have been torn between a .223 and a .243... I want to be ethical about it, and I know a .243 is prolbably alot better caliber, but I do feel alot more confident in the recoil factor of the .223.... Any experiences good or bad with a .223..... Thanks

[/QUOTE}
Federal Preium, Barnes Triple Shock X-Bullet 55gr. shoul do a great job for your daughter

[QUOTE=deernmusky;3480027]Let me first say that I know this thread is going to start a huge debate. I live in Wisconsin and this year they just introduce a Mentored hunting Program for 10 - 11 year olds to start hunting. I have a 10 year old daughter who I think really wants to hunt. She is pretty small framed and petite so I dont want to kill her or scare her off with the recoil. She has been shooting a .22LR for about a year and is actually very accurate with it. So now I have to introduce her into her deer rifle but I have been torn between a .223 and a .243... I want to be ethical about it, and I know a .243 is prolbably alot better caliber, but I do feel alot more confident in the recoil factor of the .223.... Any experiences good or bad with a .223..... Thanks

[/QUOTE}
Federal Preium, Barnes Triple Shock X-Bullet 55gr. should do a great job for your daughter

sconnyhunter,

We sit on opposites sides of the argument ye or nay for the .223. Some of what you say, I agree with totally... and some, well, LOL!... I don't.

Anyway, I just wanted to say I appreciate your civility in the manner in which you shared your opinion.

On an after-thought, you brought a good point about the buck fever issue we all go through during the heat of the moment and if a youngster can handle it... and I have to say that's a good answer for against.

Still I could argue it could happen with any caliber... and again could argue that 100% of the deer broadside shot in the heart/lung area will be dead... but I won't. LOL!

Your opinions are noted and with good cause. Good job.

iSnipe

I would recommend the .243. It has very minimal kick and gives a pretty substantial margin for error over the .223. Almost double the bullet size if you compare a 55 grain to a 100 grain bullet. In my opinion someone using a .223 should have the experience to judge shot distance and shot placement is more critical.

I know the .223 will kill any deer out there. I have killed deer with them. You don't want her to lose her first deer because of a not perfect shot.