Deer rifle for youth

[Determined Little Sh**]

My 8yr. old daughter, who shot her first deer last year, has really been bit by the hunting bug. She shot her first deer last year with a borrowed .243, but I wasn't impressed by the penetration. What is another small caliber for deer that would be worth a look? And keep in mind she is a stout 8yr. old. I don't know alot about light calibers for deer but was thinking about .257, 25-06, and .7-08. What would be ya'lls thoughts? or could it have been the bullet, which was a Winchester supreme ballistic tip?

[nitro5x6's]

If you stick with .243 , go with a Controlled expansion bullet- Nosler Partition, Barnes X or even the underrated but deadly Remington Corelokt. 100 grain bullets at least.

The other cartridges you listed are more than adequate for whitetails. We have quite a few 7-08s used at our club and it seems to be a dandy round. (More recoil than .243 however)

I personally like and use a .257 Roberts on occasion.