Deer rifle for a 100 pound girl

[Gordon]

Yup the monolithic copper bullets work very well at .223 velocities. I used to shoot the old aluminum capped Silvertip Winchester bullets on local game. They all ways knew who shot the animal when it was opened up- the aluminum and lead were all along the bullet path, but they were DRN For home defense my in the gun mags in ARs are all Winchester 64 grain Power Points tho, I have seen how devastating the wound is from them. 13+ inches of penetration is about Ideal for animals under say 300 pounds from a gun with impact velocity above 2500 FPS.
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[Aim1]

A Ruger American Ranch Rifle in .300 BO can use subsonic and supersonic ammo will have soft recoil, work past 200 yards, and can use a suppressor for under $399.

 

[Newtosavage]

As much as I like that Ruger American Ranch in .300 BO idea, I'd never use it to 200 yards on a whitetail. The ballistics just aren't there to support that idea, although I know plenty of folks probably don't care and will do it anyway.

 

[Jackal]

I'd also recommend a .300blk bolt action. Ruger makes a good one for a good price.

 

[Gtscotty]

Something like this 6.5 CM micro A-bolt III with Hornady whitetail 129gr (Shoots very well in my Montana for a $22 box of hunting ammo) might be another good option. I believe they have a .243 as well.

https://www.cdnnsports.com/browning-aboltiii-micro-stalker-6-5-creedmoor.html

 

[Berger.Fan222]

I've helped a lot of youngsters get their first deer, including some girls under 100 lbs.

If the shooter is already familiar and accurate with a .223, I'd go with that and use a Barnes X bullet.

A 30-06 or .308 with a 125 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip or SST loaded at 2500 fps or so can also be very effective.

In a .357 or a .45 muzzleloader (saboted) a 115-180 grain JHP placed properly can be very effective. Make sure the load is not driving the lighter bullets too fast. But you can dial up or down the power and recoil a lot with these combinations.

But it really comes down to the youngster's proficiency and confidence with the rifle. At the moment of truth, use of the rifle should be second nature, and the focus should be on a steady sight picture and gentle trigger squeeze without flinch or anticipation of recoil buggering the shot.

 

[alsaqr]

Buy the lady a nice .243 Winchester. Ammo is available everywhere at very reasonable prices.

 

[ants]

She won't be 100 pounds forever. My niece Lexie was a 90 pound gymnast at 9 years old, couldn't handle the 270 Win like her big brother. So we got Reduced Recoil ammo and she got her first deer at age 10. Then bucks the next two years. By the time she turned 13 she could shoot full power ammo. Our Lexie is living proof.

No need to buy a new gun. Just buy new ammo.

 

[adcoch1]

I'd probably just have her use the ar15 that she already knows. Some 60+ grn cpx2 class bullets like the barnes x bullet, etc. just coach her about not shooting over 150-200 yards. Unless you want to buy her a new gun, thEn i would recommend a cz 527 or howa mini in 6.5 Grendel. Less recoil than the 7.62x39 versions of these guns, and she will never outgrow them. It'll push the deer killing range out past 300 yards with either. You can also get an ar15 upper in the 6.5 Grendel... Not my favorite, but this is probably the best compromise of recoil, accuracy, and knockdown power for a small statured shooter. But ask HER what she wants, even at 16 i bet she has a well formulated opinion...

 

[Dr T]

I like the 243 for you little girl, and there are several compact rifles that would likely fit (e.g. Savage Lady Hunters and Ruger Compacts both have 12.5" pulls). The recoil of the 44 Mag is about like the recoil of a 30-30 which feels like more than the push from a 243.

 

[cdb1]

Yup the monolithic copper bullets work very well at .223 velocities. I used to shoot the old aluminum capped Silvertip Winchester bullets on local game. They all ways knew who shot the animal when it was opened up- the aluminum and lead were all along the bullet path, but they were DRN For home defense my in the gun mags in ARs are all Winchester 64 grain Power Points tho, I have seen how devastating the wound is from them. 13+ inches of penetration is about Ideal for animals under say 300 pounds from a gun with impact velocity above 2500 FPS.
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I load 64 grain PowerPoints for my AR. It is a predator rifle. Haven't taken any deer but have taken a few hogs with the PowerPoints. Each time I'm a little surprised about how well they worked.

 

[LoonWulf]

I shot a pile of deer with my .223 and factory winchester 64gr power point loads, I found them very effective. Id still prefer more energy for a new hunters rifle, but they WILL do the job.

 

[d2wing]

I went through all this when I taught my kids to shoot and myself when I broke my shoulder. I recommend an AR with soft point 55 grain bullets or heavier if you wish. I have killed big 200 lbs plus Minnesota deer with it. As long as you hit the heart or lungs with a proper expanding bullet you will have a dead deer. Also the girl will enjoy the hunt and not fear the gun. All BS aside. recoil is not fun. Especially for a kid. If you want her to enjoy hunting you should let her shoot what she chooses. Another alternative would be a 7.62x39 in a suitable rifle. AK's etc are low recoil but very front heavy for a kid. Also a soft point .223 is a little more effective and gives you a little more range but I would limit shots to 150-200 yards. We have tried a 30-30 lever action, a good choice but do recoil more. Also have used a 243 bolt action, which again depends on the recoil sensitivity of the kid. I stand by my recommendation of a light AR in .223 as ideal for kids. It doesn't matter if you switch up to a 6.8 or something else. An examination of wounds doesn't show any advantage. Shot placement proper expanding bullets and reasonable energy are what kills. For small deer caliber isn't all that important within reason. Pistol calibers work but you have to be close and place shots carefully.