If you are 100% committed to shot placement with the proper type of bullet then a .223 is fine. I personally would never recommend one just for the simple fact that a lot of things can happen to take away that perfect shot. I have worked in gun sales and the hunting industry for many years and know first hand that a large percentage of the rifle hunters in the woods are all to eager to rush a shot, shoot through, obstructions, or take shots at distances that are farther than what should be attempted. They then blame there lost or wounded deer on the gun, the wind, the tree brances, etc. So yes, if you have a totally unobstructed shot at very moderate distances then the .223 is ok, but for the a huge percentage of the hunters in the woods today it is not the right gun. Of course there are a huge percentage of hunter to whom no gun is the right gun because they just don't care about shot placement and ethical, legitimate hunting practices. I have met hundreds of guys who insist on the 300 Weatherby Mag just so that when they make a bad shot it will still do lots of damage.