re: Small caliber deer rifle recommendations?

You could also look into an AR-15 platform chambered in .300 black out. That way she can use it for deer and you get a new toy as well

With 125 grain ammo it should do fine out to 200yds max. As others have said the 7mm-08 makes a good deer rifle with manageable recoil. You definitely don't want anything that kicks like a mule.