If I had a kid, wife, etc., that wanted to get into shooting/hunting a 223-243-257 would be an excellent choice.
And after much practice shooting I still would not let them shoot at an animal further than 250-300 yards. The animal would also have to be stationary and a good rest available. That's pretty much how I was introduced into big-game hunting.
Speaking for myself if I was out hunting for deer horns I would prefer to have something like a 270 Winchester rather than a 223. But that's just me and what I am comfortable with.
