OK doubters .. Here are the ballistics for a .223 and .243 with 70gr. starting 3000 fps. Keeping shots within 100 yds. 223 energy 1072 ft. lbs (keep in mind most other .22 exceed this) .243 1075 ft. lbs (most all .22 exceed this also).. There is .20 difference in bullet size( which is nil.) .. Yes you can get the .243 up too 100 gr. (some .22 even exceed thisft. lbs) which makes some difference but the deer won' t know it .. If you load tough bullets (barnes X) for a .22 it will penatrate just as far or futher then the .243 with a soft point.. .22 work for deer or Alot of states wouldn' t let you use it ..

No I don' t think " johnnie" should use a .223 for cape, It would work. Or do I think a " child" should use a rim fire for deer, Which would also work .. But we are talking deer wich are not hard to kill.. Like I said any animal need a heart and lungs to live .. And a .22 with good bullets has no problem reaching and could even pass .. Bill