I have 8 & 4 year old daughters. they both love to hunt with me. The oldest will be 9 in a few weeks. She really wants a gun of her own to shoot hill country deer and pigs. I don't want to scare(or hurt)her with my 30-06. I want to get her a gun with enough power to get the job done humanely but with low recoil. I was thinking 22-250 or 243. Any thoughts?

Youth or full size model? She is not big enough the shoulder a full size rifle, but I have heard youth models kick like a mule?

I know shot placement is key and we have shot bb guns and .22 open sites, as well as a scoped pellet gun.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

My understanding is that there is a very slight increase in recoil from 22-250 to 80 grain loads in the 243 not enough to be a real factor. I'm not really familiar with the Mossberg Patriot but it's available with a 1" plug for the buttstock that lets it adjust from 13" to 12" LOP. That would allow you to zero the rifle with the plug and then shorten it for your daugter. I would have her practice from the prone over sand bags or with a bipod. After she's doing well I would then try to replicate how she would shoot from a blind.

I have a 10 year old daughter who is chomping at the bit to shoot her first deer this year too. My vote is for the .243, mostly because I already have one. But in the hands of a youngster, I'd rather have a rifle that packs a little more punch than the .22s and the .243 fits that bill perfectly. Most deer I've shot with the .243 traveled less than 30 yards and some were DRT.

Plus, there are things you can do the reduce some of the recoil (heavier stock, perhaps?) in a youth model that fits her. Most synthetic stocks that I've seen have hollow buttstocks underneath the buttpad that you can fill with sand, etc., to absorb some of the recoil.

Best of luck to you, sir. Raising them right.

How's has a youth model that is just right. I would get a22-250 you can always use it and it is more then enough .

All of mine started with a .223 and we've never lost a deer shot by that gun yet. Oldest son now has 3 bigger guns to choose from and grabs the 223 nearly every time.

7mm/08 with 120gr bullets it is perfect for 9 or 10yr old female my daughter got hers at 9 after using .243 best decision to move to 7mm/08 she harvested all her animals in Africa last year with the 7mm/08 it is great round and very versatile.

I don't think recoil is as big of an issue as we think. My son and daughter practiced with a .22 all year and then hunt with my 30.06 at 9 and 11 they say they were too excited to even notice the recoil. Being cold and layered in clothes made things better too, I'm sure. To be honest I only remember once when recoil bothered me. I was 8 and shot a 303 british, knocked me off my chair.

.25-.06 with 100 gr. bullets is light recoil with plenty of knockdown...

No AR's mentioned?

6.8 SPC in a bolt gun or ar platform.

I used a 22-250 with a heavy barrel for mine.

With that being said. I am going to have a custom built for my kiddo in .243 with fast twist and adjustable stock so she can grow in to it. It will also have a brake.

Stay away from the 'cheap' youth models (like Rossie) that are ultralight. They are ok plinking / learning guns, but not much more.
Not very accurate & low-weight amplifies recoil.
Savage makes some nice/accurate youth models that are upgradable to full-size stock (include coupon); .223, .243, 7mm08.

In addition, factory LOW RECOIL ammo is available for most 'heavy-calibers' - even your 30-06, that will make it feel like a .223
And as already mentioned, certain 'add ons' can help manage recoil.
So, look for a quality accurate rifle FIRST, then see what your options for recoil are SECOND.

I always ask - has this youngster taken other/smaller game yet?
'Raising them right' includes having youngster understand AND appreciate the opportunity & responsibilities involved in taking bigger game.

.223 can't go wrong...

another vote for 243.
if she likes pink get a pink gun sling not the gun.
with a 243 she could use it the rest of her life

.243 or 7mm-08 with managed recoil loads would be my vote.

My daughter shot her first deer at age nine with a .223.

It's going to be you taking your kids out looking for a rifle that fits them. For my daughter it was a simple single shot .223 that worked really well. I bought a sleeve that goes over the stock so it was comfortable for her and elevated her head position to the scope. My son used it for his deer kill as well.

All about getting them Comfy

I would go 223/22-250 with good ammo without hesitation. 243 is always good. Recently shot some 25-06 and was shocked a how mild the recoil was.

Get a Thompson Center youth .243 and when they are big enough switch to full size stock

There you go

I like this idea as well. I would vote for the 25.06.

Mine will use an Encore in 243 or 300 Whisper.

My son was 9 when he dropped his first one. A 23" contender carbine in 223. 75 yards DRT.

There's a Remington 742 in 6mm Remington in the classifieds right now. That's a wonderful round and the gas-operated 742 takes out a LOT of the recoil. Throw on a pair of muffs (a lot of perceived recoil is the "bang" not the buck) and it'll be a very tame shooter. I have nothing to do with said rifle in the classifieds whatsoever. If recoil is the deciding factor, I'd go that route vs. a closed breech .243.