I'd guess some would say it's a hunters preference, others would argue otherwise. IMO the 223 is a varmint round and has no business being used for deer hunting. Sure it can get the job done, and can reach out and touch someone...but it's not the right tool for the job. Maybe it's a geography thing, but from what I've seen it's been the 30-30 or the 30-06. The knockdown power from these rifles puts them down now.

Heck, you're just lucky you can use a rifle. Many of us are out there strapped with the 12 gauge!