I use smaller calibers primarily for one reason I'm recoil sensitive and I don't like brakes. The 223 can work and given right parameters it's plenty of gun. Mainly knowing you the situation, and shot placement. I use a 220 swift shooting an 80gr @ 3150 and that is plenty for south Texas game. Also I know it's limitations. Yep I've pushed the envelope with .224 cal rifles especially a 22-6mm a.i. but I had all the confidence with it in my hand. I usually never get passed 100 Rds in anything past a 308 in any of my rifles, hence why my only "big" gun is a7mag with a great brake but since getting it and doing a load work up I haven't shot it since. If you start to use the 223 use the 60gr partition. It's been sub moa out of all my 223's and live up to its rep.

If it's all you got then use it, but avoid bone and wait for broadside shots only if you want to shoot to the lungs, and use the heaviest bullet you can find, and avoid long shots unless shooting for the head or neck with accuracy.
The way they produce reduced recoil loads today the lowly but tried and true 30-30 will take down any deer a .223 can't.
Lot of people will say they will always do the job, but those are people who are experienced and know a deer anatomy and can shoot accurately with consistency.
There are also the same number or more that have had bad experiences with them that can also shoot, and also by a lot of those who can't.
It's legal so does it really matter other than starting another .223 thread that will grow?

223 - 224 - whatever it takes.

this topic needs to be banned forever

I have seen more deer having to be tracked after having been shot with large caliber rifles than with small. The reason. Those people were either scared of the recoil or had real bad cases of buck fever. The older hunters after hunting for a long time no longer got the fever and being older and wiser no longer liked getting the hell kicked out of their shoulders with big guns. Also they practiced more shooting a smaller caliber gun as it was more pleasant to shoot. That's my opinion and I am sticking with it.

Talk to any combat medic or surgeon that spent time in the Middle East and hear what they have to say about wounds from the 5.56. It creates a pretty nasty hole.

I plan to use mine for piggies this year. Maybe a doe or 3.

Don't think you can compare the terminal ballistics of military ball ammo with commercial soft points.

As said many times before, yes you can kill deer with a 223. It just isn't as effective as larger caliber rounds. I have used it on deer, but no longer do.

It's a good caliber for kids.

I got a Super Combo and don't see that tag? Do I have to purchace it separately?

edited: For my sometimes twisted sense of humor.

Yes that ".223" tag is right next to the "Mature Buck" tag.

ummm....military ball ammo is designed to minimize damage. With civilian soft point ammo there would be far fewer injuries to treat.

I love 'em but can't eat a whole one.

That was sort of my point. If military ball ammo causes so much damage, imagine what hunting ammo will do. I'm told the military ammo yaws and spins upon entering a body. Makes a nasty mess.

My daughter is gonna hunt deer for the first time this year, and she will be shooting a 223. I have larger calibers, and shoot a 280 myself, but she is proficient with the 223. I could move her up to larger caliber and take a chance of her flinching and making a bad shot. Which in my opinion is worse than a good shot with a smaller caliber. Just my opinion

You are right about this. We tracked a big buck and lost it's trail and then a hunter shot it a week later. One whole front leg was just dangling and the front shoulder had an ugly hole full of puss. Makes a nasty mess.

Will a 223 kill a deer? Yes but there are simply better choices.

I don't like to use a .223, but I have mostly used neck shots. Sufficient power to break the neck, but probably 75% are still alive upon recovery. Never like to finish a deer with a knife.

Interesting question. I have never given it much thought....

I know right?? I cant believe this is the 1st debate ever on .223 and deer hunting...

and here we go again....

.223 loaded with a proper hunting bullet will smoke anything native to Texas. Hard stop. It will certainly kill better than a miss with Grandaddy's 30-06 because you flinched because you never shoot more than a 20 round box of "shells" to "get a pattern". It will definitely kill better than any arrow, but somehow bow hunting is accepted with no problems? Old thinking is old.

I'll say it again...shot placement matters, and bullets matter more than headstamp.

Next thing you know, the old Fudd's will be upset over people hunting with an AR-15....

Wait a minute, .223 will kill better than any arrow? I've met quite a few pigs and deer that would argue that point.

Congratulations. No one is saying the deer and pigs can't be killed with an arrow.