Slow down... I said that if you are an experienced shooter than open sights are fine... I just have found that new shooters hit their target more consistently with a scope... At 100 yards what do you think the unexperienced shooter could hit consistently with open sights... Maybe within 2 feet at best... What do you think that same shooter could do with a 7x or 9x scope, probably 6 inches (a good estimate of an accurate shot on a deer). Do you see my point?

If you were able to show me that you could hit a six inch plate at 100 yards with open sights I would have no problem calling that ethical... In my experience, most people can't. If you can kudos, seriously! I know I can't...

As for the 223, I am no military expert, but aren't they moving to something like a 6.5 mm or something... It seems like they are not that pleased with the .223 as a killing weapon. Again I am sure a 223 could kill a deer, so could a 22 long rifle, but why not use the correct weapon for the correct animal!

As for the 243, this has been proven as a deer cartridge... I think it was Outdoor life that picke their deer cartridges and it ran something like... 243, 257 roberts, 260, 7mm-08, 25-06, and 30-06, and they noted that all would be great deer rounds.