Ultradog Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 How effective is a .223 on white tails? I know it is the smallest round Minnesota will let you use for deer. My wife went hunting with me last year and enjoyed hanging out in the stand with me. We've talked a couple of times about her getting a rifle and trying to take a deer herself. She's never fired anything bigger than a .22LR so I don't want to over do it on firepower. I have a couple of extra rifles - 30 30 and 3006 - (I use a ,270) But I'm thinking those would be a bit big for her. Want to knock the deer down, not her. Not much brush where we hunt - mostly open - 50-250 yards. Is it worth plunking down the dough for a 223 or should I try to get her to go for something like a .243. No hand loading here, just store bought rounds. I wish I could rent guns somewhere and let her try them first before I plunk our money down. Just thinking out loud here. Any advice? Thanks Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 While it is legal here now and we have deer that are not typically much over 200 lbs on the hoof, i personally would probably not take my .223 varmint rifle to hunt deer. A .223 imo is gonna be marginal at best on deer with a skilled shooter. 10 or so years ago the minimum was a .24 here, they changed it to .22 centerfire. I would step up to a .243 Jerry. Those ranges will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 (edited) Your decision, but I would opt for a .243 or 7mm-08 relatively little recoil http://www.americanhunter.org/blogs/...r-deer-hunting Edited September 6, 2014 by Mathews XT Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 It's been quite some time since I shot our 30.06 but I remember the "kick" being minimal compared to our slug guns. Also remember the adrenaline will be pumping and she won't feel it as long as the scope doesn't bite her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 A .243 would be a better choice than the .223. There's very little recoil with a .243 too. If my son could handle it with no issues when he was 10, your wife won't have issues with the little bit of recoil it has either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 Too small IMO... I'd go with a .243, .257 Roberts, 7mm-08 or even a .25-06. My girlfriend shoots my .25-06 with no problem. Even my 8 year old niece shot it with ease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHOUTLAW Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 It will work fine with a perfect shot. My gf bought herself a 30-06 with a box of recoil mang. It turned the 30-06 to a 243. Still hits like the 06 but loses all the recoil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoytshooter09 Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 I've killed a few with a 223 thats what we used for my nephews first deer dropped all of em within 50 yards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultradog Posted September 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Thanks for the info guys. XT Man, thanks for the link too. Yeah, I figured I was dreaming for a 223 to be real effective. I have a Norinco 7.62X39 too but those hings are kind of goofy to try to put a scope on. Maybe I'll start looking for a used 243 for her. Probably wont buy it this year as you know that prices are jacked up this time of year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Might let her try your 270. My oldest daughter has been shooting mine since she was 12 or 13, she is kind of small. You may even be able to find managed recoil loads for the 270. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHOUTLAW Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Hornady makes it called custom lite 270 is 27.99 a box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted September 9, 2014 Report Share Posted September 9, 2014 My little girl is using a .243. I also gave her the new Hornady reduced recoil ammo. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hornady-reg-Custom-Lite-Rifle-Ammunition/1229641.uts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted September 12, 2014 Report Share Posted September 12, 2014 My daughter has been shooting a youth model 243 since she was 12. I would also opt for the 243. todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 Yes, a .223 with the correct load will kill deer. Countless deer fall every year in Oklahoma and Texas to a .223. It probably isn’t the best choice but it is very effective. Keep in mind that deer fall every year to bows, cross bows, and illegally fall to smaller rifles like .22lr, .22 Mag, and .17 HMR. If you buy a premium bullet and make a good shot a .223 will kill a deer, safely to 100 yards. However, im with the others on this one. To this day I still carry a .243 (and im a 38 year old, 195lb man).. This round has VERY little kick to it compared to most rifle rounds. It is manageable for about any shooter. My niece took her first ever deer at something like 12 years old with my .243. The .243 carries much more energy because of a heavier projectile (100 grn typically). They are proven deer killers. I’ve taken deer at many ranges and even shot an antelope at 286 yards with hand loads. Many deer have fallen to the .243. Its a great round and would serve her well. As far as ammo, you don’t have to get too expensive with the .243. The Cheap Remington Corelokt or the Winchester Super X are both good rounds for deer hunting. I have tons of hand loads (Hornady BTSP) that i have put together for the .243. However, the Winchester Super X fly just as true and drop deer. They are less than $20 a box.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJFitzgerald Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 My daughters are both well under 5ft and barely 90lbs, even into their 20's, and they both use a Rem 700 in 7-08. They've used it since they were way smaller than they are now with no problems. That would be my first choice, but as has already been said, your .270 shouldn't be much different with a 140gr or smaller bullet. I'd probably just go with that. No sense spending money you don't need to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 The only problem with using your rifle is the LOP will be too long likely and may be hard to shoulder. If it were me I would buy a cheaper older rifle like a Savage 110 in the wood stock and have it cut down. They are UGLY guns but shoot true and are very affordable. They are/ were chambered in countless cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted September 19, 2014 Report Share Posted September 19, 2014 The only problem with using your rifle is the LOP will be too long likely and may be hard to shoulder. If it were me I would buy a cheaper older rifle like a Savage 110 in the wood stock and have it cut down. They are UGLY guns but shoot true and are very affordable. They are/ were chambered in countless cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 26, 2014 Report Share Posted September 26, 2014 My second daughter (12 last season) was only maybe 65-70 lbs when I took her for our youth hunt last year. She is recoil sensitive, and she shoots my wifes .243 with no problems at all. My oldest was shooting the .243 at 8. She has been shooting my .270 since she was 12. Will agree on the savage suggestion too, typically pretty good shooters and won't break the bank, a pachmayr pad will soften what little recoil. She was 14 when we went to Wyoming, she takes my old model 700 in .270 every chance she gets and leaves here browning a bolt in .243 in the safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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