Yes, i had to start out hunting with a 223 because i am a disabled hunter and we did not know how i could take recoil. I have since upgraded to a 243, and now a 6mm rem. That lil 223 killed deer quicker than my 6mm will. It has tremendous shocking power with a premium bullet in the boiler room under 150yds it always did the job and quick. It usually dropped them on the spot. I had to use my 223 last year because of a rotator cuff tear and it preformed flawlesly. People may think less of me as a hunter because i use a 223 that i am being inhumane to what i am hunting but ill put a well placed shot with my 223 up against a bad shot from a bigger rifle anyday. It's all about placement.