ORIGINAL: biscuit jake
Funny, North Texan, I have heard that the .223 has a following amongst Texas deer hunters. But I too would go to a 243 or 257 if the shooter was big enough.
I have one and have used it on hogs many times. All successful. And I wouldn't hesitate to use it on a deer if the opportunity were to arise. But I have a decent amount of shooting experience, which makes a world of differencebetween what I am capable of doing with a .223 and what a beginning shooter is capable of with a .223.