My Dad has killed a ton of deer over the years with a 222. When it came time for me to shoot my first deer, my Dad's trusty Sako 222 got the call. One shot and down the little buck went. I don't know for fact, but if I had to guess, I was probably shooting Remington Core-Lokts. I don't remember having much else around the house anyway.
For nostalgia reasons, I'm building my little girl a 222...just a modern version in SS and slapped in a McMillan stock.
I have a Remington varmint rifle in .222 with a B&L 6 X 24 scope that is the most accurate rifle I have ever shot. I load 22 grains of H-322 and 55 grain Sierra bullets. My boys love shooting that rifle. The little one is just hard on critters with it.
pds: Dats some cool stuff right there!! Good shot placement by the little guys...
One of my hunting pards picked up a deuce and wants to start his daughter on deer with it, so last year I reccomended 45 gr TSX...
He worked up a load, shot a couple deer with it, bang flop...and next year she will be old enough to use it, and hes got the confidence that it will work...
My eldest boy loved to shoot that .222 also. As you noted, shot placement is the key. Shooting an accurate rifle from bags allows for that precise placement. My boys developed good shooting skills and no bad habits learning to shoot in that manner. When the kid grows strong enough to hold a rifle and shoot off-hand, the shooting skills are already established. My eldest is deadly accurate with a pistol or off-hand with the rifle.
If you can devise a way to help the little ones hold the rifle steady, they can shoot the hairs off a gnats ass.
The hoist pics you requested. Those are made by Monarch in Arlington, Texas. I bought it from Cabellas the year I had my back surgery. Everyone on my lease liked it so much we bought another. I bet pronghorn hunters would love it too.