It's a matter of choice. If you choose to use a larger caliber, then do it. If you say the .223 is small, then you are just wrong. If the shot is placed in the same killing zone you would shoot with any other caliber, it will kill the deer. Would I use it for long range shots? No. No more than I would a shotgun slug or even a .30-.30 . But up to 100 yards it is fine. Is it what I shoot? No. But I wouldn't be afraid to take it and keep my shots 100 yards or under. If you want a gun that you can take shots at 350 yards and make a bad shot and knock a leg off a deer it's not for you. I'm suspecting that's what we're dealing with here.