would like to know your experience and if you have lost any deer from this

I did kill a doe with mine once. Yes, a good shot will put one down, and yes, many deer are killed every year with 223, but IMO, you need to stick to a larger caliber. For me, minimum is .243, and I prefer .270.

The ARs in .223 make fine coyote and pest rifles and, in a pinch, a decent doe-culling rig. But for general deer hunting, there are many better (and cheaper) choices out there. I'm thinking a bolt gun well-scoped in .243 or heavier.

If a guy MUST have an AR for a deer rifle, then a heavier chambering like a 7.62x39 or Grendel might be in order.

Can it be done yes, but I dont think its ethical to do so.

Gonna try my 6.8spc this fall. already shot a 200lb pig and dropped it in its track and pretty sure it will do the same on a buck.

Going to be using my Grendel from here on.

Every deer Axis and Whitetail for probably the last ten years has been with either a 222 or now a 223. And "Knock on wood" have not lost any yet.

shot placement trumps everything
a 223 will cleanly kill any deer in Texas if you put the bullet in the right spot and keep your distances realistic.

is it the optimum caliber?
no.. but there are a LOT of dead deer that would argue otherwise.

I have a 223/5.56 as well as a 6.8 AR, I prefer to use the latter.

I do. But mine is 308. Got tired of shooting at hogs with a bolt action. Now I have 20 rounds to send downrange when a group comes into my feeder.

I also have an AR-10, .308. It is a great accurate rifle, but is heavy and loud. This year I have a 6.8 to hunt with. I built it to be light and quick handling. I got a doe with is two weeks ago. I made a good onside lung shot with the deer quartering toward me. She didn't go 30 yards. The .223 will take down deer with the right bullet selection and good shot placement, and I've have taken several hogs with mine. But on deer I feel like there isn't enough margin for error and the chance of losing one is too high.

Where were you shooting? MLD land or other state? I wouldn't hunt with a .223 for deer, but that is my opinion and I know lots do with good results.

Killed a doe with my AR (223) with a neck shot just to do it. Won't do it again, just one of those things to scratch off my to-do list. Now a 22-250 on the other hand is a different story.

I've shot deer with an AR. But it's not a deer rifle.

Personally, I think this "ima hunt with my AR" fad has gotten way out of hand.

Go get a bolt gun in a proven deer killing caliber. You'll be happy you did.

Neck shot a doe last year with a 55gr sp out of my ar. Bullet exploded when it hit her neck bone, no exit. She was drt but I wouldn't shoot another deer with that same bullet. Going to sight it in with some 64gr bonded bullets this year and maybe see how they do on pigs or maybe another small deer.

I have a AR-15 458 socom for hogs but will try it out for deer this year. I hear it puts deer down quick with minimal meat loss if you use the right round. Will be trying out Hornady 325 Gr FTX rounds.

I enjoy having options and a change of pace. I have AR's in .223, 7.62 x 39 and .308.

The .223 is fine for yotes, but I'm not crazy about it for hogs or deer. I prefer the .308 for hogs.

On the other hand, if the plan is to hunt deer on that stand, I prefer a good bolt action rifle...my preference being a .270.

325 grain is a bit much for TX deer IMHO... Have used the Hornady Leverevolution 325 FTX in a .45-70 on a hog. Did a neck shot and dang near took his head off.

I hear you but it between a 223, 458 or 300 win mag for me. I'm out on public land this year and would rather have a low velocity round, 1600 FPS with a rapid drop after 200 yards.

My son shot his first deer when he was 10 with my dads AR. I can say it's a good gun for young kids because they don't kick. I wouldn't recommend it otherwise. I bought my youngest son, who happens to be 10 now, a youth .243 for his birthday this year because it makes me feel better.

I have a brand new AR-15 that I want to shoot something besides paper with. Im a wounded veteran with half of a leg missing does anyone want me to come shoot?

I've got a AR in .308. As long as you've got a good gun you're comfortable with, there's no problem. Like anything else just make sure your optics are good enough for you to place the bullet in the right spot.

Oh and also, a new plus is being able to use a suppressor to hunt with. We put the suppressor on the AR with some subsonic rounds and you can't hear much of anything (but can everything after you shoot without ringing ears). I've got some pictures on wildlifewilly.com with the AR and some related info. The only problem I see is you're more inclined to want to shoot more bullets with a semi-auto. Just gotta make sure to treat it like you've only got the one shot, but it is great if coyotes or hogs come past cause you can shoot as much as you want and not have to worry about scaring everything away.

never shot a deer with one but shot plenty of pigs...you will be traking 90% of the time

My lease is Lv3 MLD, so we get to start in Oct.