Marsh, I agree a 223 WILL kill deer and yer daughter prolly wouldn't go if she had to shoot a 30/06. My grandson started with a 223, killed a deer and hog. But it sure as hell isn't as good a deer killer as a 270W by a long shot. And in take em as they come deer hunting that 223 will let you down by wounding or not letting you take a marginal shot that a 270 can handle.
I've killed every one of over a dozen deer i've shot with a 22lr standard velocity hp, and short hps . DRT. It doesn't make a 22lr a deer rifle.
My 270W loaded with 130 gr Nosler Partitions will kill EVERY deer at any range, at any angle, any size. A 223 won't do that. Been there done that. I've seen neck shot deer with a 223 run off wobbling and need a back up shot with a bigger gun. Range was too far and bullet mushroomed against the spine, damaging but not dropping the deer.
I agree 100% that the bigger rifle is better and hopefully this will be her last season with the 223. She is 2 for 2 with it but I keep her shots to a reasonable distance. She is an excellent shot with HER as she calls it AR15 223 and I'm afraid she ain't gonna give up HER 223 very easily. Im gonna step her up to the 6.8spc,6,5gendel or the 7.62x39 in the AR platforms I built.
