A .223 is just one step up fro a .22lr
(uh oh.. did I just insult the sacred M-16 and its varmit round? :P )
Good for you in getting you SO to even pull the trigger. I had a HUGE argument with my GF just to carry my pistol into her house. We agreed on 'Don't ask, don't tell'. Still would like to get her some trigger time.