I have killed many deer with mine using 70gr Speer SSP handloads. I wouldn,t use it on big deer,and it does have its limits as do all guns.It,s really done the job thought and on a lot of wild hogs as well. Bullet placement is the big factor in all hunting situtations,no matter what one shoots. vangunsmith

I agree 100 percent.

Ive never used mine for deer hunting cause its iilegel in are state but I see no reason why it wouldnt kill a deer I dont think it matters how big a hole is in the deers heart or lungs if its there thats all that matters however I was wondering on the blood trail thats the only part I dont like but if their shot good I guess thats not a real big deal either

If I could I would use a bigger gun though jmo

As previously stated, I wouldn't use anything smaller than the 243 for deer...just out of respect for the animal...

For me, the .243 would be the minimum! The .22 CF's are legal here, but I just don't think that using something that you have to be "perfect" with, is worth it! No, I do not think that bigger, makes up for accuracy, but bigger does give you "reasonable room for error!" If it's legal, use 'em if you wish, just use good hunting bullets! I would NEVER recomend the .22's to newbies! I know I'll hear many, "it was my first gun," stories, but again theres too much perfection involved with them to suggest rookies use them!

Yes the 223 is enough for deer ,although shot placement is critical. You must use a good game bullet and their arn't many choices here. My favorite ( my go to round) is the speer 70 gr simi sptr. ,it's constructed heavy enough to penetrate completely on a broad side lung shot,and will leave them plenty dead.Nosler makes the partition in a 60gr. but for me it isn't accurate enough. Sierra is making a gameking 65gr. for deer size game although extremely accurate as most sierra bullets are I've not tried them on game yet. I here lots of people saying sierra's don't hold together well on game but I'd have to dissagree, they have never let me down. Do understand that a 223 isn' going to leave much of a blood trail ,but is at least as humane as a broadhead, or moreso! Just pick your shot carefully or you'll end up wounding and loosing your deer. Bigger is better.

I had to add one more thought to this forum. Many seem to think that since shot placement is more critical with a smaller caliber rifle you shouldn't use them, and at the same time they probably would not hesitate to use an indian pistol. Any 223 with a good scope should group into three inches or less at 200 yds, a good bow would doughtfully group inside an eight inch pie plate at 30 yds under hunting conditions, but most hunters wouldn't hesitate to bow hunt. This is food for thought not criticizem. I'm not implying thay a good compound bow can't group very well but adrenilen screws the best of them up!

The 223 is enough cartridge for taking a deer when proper bullets are used. its a simple fact, and its kinda getting boring argueing about it. as long a controlled expansion bullet like a 60.gr. nosler partition is esed the bullet will expand and completly pass through the animal depositing a lot of its energy into the deer. it dosent really matter how much energy a cartridge has, a properly placed 222lr is better than a poorly place 300 win.mag.

I agree with JagMagMan. .243 would be the minimum I'd hunt whitetail deer with. Even that is a bit on the light side. I would say .270, .30 cal, 7mm mag. For type of hunting in N. MN where I sometimes hunt .30-06 is a good all around choice, if shots are 150 yds or less as they ar 98% there. They have many choices of not only slug weights and types to suit most any situation within those limits. A .30 caliber 06 or .300 WM will do considerably more internal damage and have a greater shock affect on a deer than a lesser caliber like .223 you mention.

That's my opinion.