I'll throw my my $0.02 in. In my opinion shot placement is more important than which caliber you use. I've seen deer hit with a double lunger from a .223 from 110 yards and it go stiff leg and I've seen about a 140 lb 6 pt be hit to far back with a 7mm magnum at 40 yards and it run 200 yards. If you heartshot or double lung a deer or for that matter spine shot with most any rifle it aint goin far! But personally I won't use less than a 243 but a 223 is legal in Bama and I know a few ppl (youth mainly) that use them and put deer on the ground.