ORIGINAL: ipscshooter
ORIGINAL: Rebel Hog
It's illegal to hunt with in FL, minimum .243.
.223 is legal in Texas, as is ANY centerfire rifle. .204, .17 Rem., .25-20, .30 Carbine... Lots of cartridges that are less appropriate than a .223. But, that's all irrelevant, since the guy asking the question is from Louisiana. What is legal in Louisiana?
ORIGINAL: Alsation
Yes, the .223 is too small for deer. There is no ethical range for shooting deer with the .223. The .223 is too small for deer. You asked; I'm tellin' you.
I agree that it is smaller than what I would use (I use a .243 Win., and there are fruit-loops out there who say it is too small as well), but, if state law says it's legal, then that state's Parks & Wildlife Service has made the decision on ethics. .223 is legal here in Texas. I subscribe to Texas Trophy Hunters Magazine, and EVERY month they publish photos of deer killed with various .22 caliber rifles. Of course, our deer are not nearly as heavy as the deer from other states, and in those states, the Parks & Wildlife Service has probably set a higher "minimum".
The "ethics" question does NOT apply to legal caliber/cartridge. Rather, it applies to things like choice of properly constructed bullet and limitations to range and shot selection that are within the caliber/cartridge's performance limitations.