RE: is 223 safe for deer
In the state where I hunt the 223 is a legal caliber. With precise shot placement it will do the job but I would look to a 25 caliber to get a really good dual purpose deer/varmit rifle. Although I used a 243 for deer quite a bit, IMO its best used for all size Varmits. For this it is hard to beat. A 25-06 would be ideal.