What would you all hunt for w a 223?

Deer, pigs, coyotes, racoons

I would hunt for varmints and for a bigger rifle for deer.

I'd use a bigger rifle for deer if you have one. If not, it'll do.

It will be said "The right ammo and shot placement is what matters"

It's also tremendously effective for cans.

Like Dalee said, under great conditions and a great shot anything is possible

Killed quite a few deer with one and if it was the only thing I had I would use it within my limits. Killed hogs, yotes and bobcats with one also.

Deer ( any size) on down.....

Turtles would be fun to shoot with them

Axis and smaller.

I have hunted whitetail and my nephew a pronghorn antelope with a single shot new England .223. Worked fine, just have to make the perfect shot. Very little margin of error in a .223.

I've shot 2 deer with a .223 and after the 2nd I decided I would only do it again if I had to. I've got other calibers that I have a lot more confidence in to take down a deer. Coyotes and smaller, sure.

I have had as many hunters screw up shots on animals with large calibers as I have with smaller ones. I think a lot of folks with large caliber rifles are scared of them and will do some serious flinching when they pull the trigger.

I've shot from deer on down, but prefer a larger caliber for deer and like others have mentioned, shot placement.

Exactly

You can kill a deer with a pellet gun, but why would you if you had other options? 223 will kill deer all day long but why risk it if you have a better option.

I have no doubt of that. That doesn't mean you have to go down to a pea-shooter. Vast difference between a .223 and a .243/7mm-08/.260.

Killed a couple of deer with mine. It worked, but not my first choice.

I have killed somewhere close to 20 deer with a 223 as far as 200 yds. Never a miss and not one had to be tracked. switched to my 30-06 at about 20 yrs old and started making bad shots, missed a couple deer, even hit and lost two deer (both 50 - 75 yds). If you know your limitations, a 223 is a fine deer caliber.

I've had more hunters have "dead" deer get up and run off with 300 mags than any small caliber.

For two reasons IMO:

1. I believe small caliber hunters put more effort in shot placement.

2. Backstrap or just below the backbone shots from large calibers drop the deer in their tracks, and the large caliber hunters are too confident of their guns killing ability so they don't put in another round on the ground. Those "dead" deer get up and run off while they are climbing out of the blind or on the walk up.

So therancher and DonK, do you guys encourage .223s for your hunters?