Small caliber deer rifle

My grand father has been shooting a ruger mini 14 .223 for many yrs now running dogs. He loves it and is very deadly with it. He had to go to a gun that didnt kick so much because of shoulder issues. Been thinking about getting one myself.

many years ago a friend and I hunted Ocala with his 2 beagles. We liked the beagles because it was easier to cut them off or get ahead of them. My dad made one of the greatest running shots I have ever seen. A long spike was hell bent going across a clearing and dad one shot behind the shoulder with a Marlin 30-30. Iron sights. Damn I miss him.

i care a shootgun but for the clearcuts or a long road shoot it my 308 tikia t3 in bolt action