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Art Eatman · October 31, 2009, 10:27 AM

I killed my first deer with a .222, but it was a patient, volunteer doe, standing about thirty yards away. Easy hit into the white spot.

But I'll recommend the .243. I've tagged over 20 bucks with mine. I use the Sierra 85-grain HPBT bullet, which is now a factory load from Federal. (Happily, they shoot as tight a group as my handloads.

) Negligible recoil.

The main thing is trigger time, to get her "all married up" with the rifle. And not all from the benchrest; field positions are a must.

If need be, shorten the stock to fit, and install a quality recoil pad. Save the cutoff piece to eventually put it back as she grows.

October 31, 2009, 10:27 AM	#20
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I killed my first deer with a .222, but it was a patient, volunteer doe, standing about thirty yards away. Easy hit into the white spot. But I'll recommend the .243. I've tagged over 20 bucks with mine. I use the Sierra 85-grain HPBT bullet, which is now a factory load from Federal. (Happily, they shoot as tight a group as my handloads. ) Negligible recoil. The main thing is trigger time, to get her "all married up" with the rifle. And not all from the benchrest; field positions are a must. If need be, shorten the stock to fit, and install a quality recoil pad. Save the cutoff piece to eventually put it back as she grows.