I have used the 223 for deer hunting and have not lost a single deer. Shot placement is super critical with this caliber.However the selection was made due to the 223 recoil which is minimal and allows a youth or a new female hunter to experience the hunting opportunity without the discomfort of a as severe recoil which has caused many a person to decide against hunting.
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I would not use the 223 as a caliber of choice or the go to round.

It is the ballistics that demonstrate it's limitations

Caliber Velocity Muzzle Energy Energy 100 yards

223 (50 Grain) 3410 1291 992

243 3100 2027 1731

30-30 2390 1902 1298

30-06 2910 2820 2281

The ability to get a humane kill even with some poor shot placement is significantly enhanced with the killing power of these more appropriate calibers. Using the 223 @ 50 grain is like getting run over by a motor bike vs. a 16 wheeler. I would use the 223 on a limited basis.

My use of the 'Here we go' was not to signify that we've beaten this to death (although we have), but more to let you know this is a contested topic and you'll likely get quite a few comments from both sides of the fence and that both sides think they are right on this one.

Can you kill a deer with a .223? Sure, especially if you are limiting your shots to 50-80yds and using a quality (NOT VARMINT/HOLLOWPOINT) bullet to do so and placing your shots in the vitals. Just know that the window for error is small and if your shots are that limited, then the chance for a poorly-shot deer to get out of sight in a hurry is also there.

You asked the question 'Do these make good deer guns'. In my opinion that answer is assuredly No. You already have a limited range weapon in your 30-30; why buy another? Do you have any other rifles besides the .30-30, so if a buddy were to invite you to a place with +300yd shots you'd be covered?

If you really want an AR, what about looking at something on the AR-10 platform in .260, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 or 7mm-08? Colt makes a modular AR now that can switch between .223 and .308 on the same lower, so you could have the best of both worlds.

I use a 22-250 and hand load a 60gr soft point. I have never had any issues. That being said I shoot this rifle A LOT and shooting a deer right where I want to is no issue. I only use this rifle from one of my stands as I know all ranges and have a good rest to make a good ethical shot. If I hunt any where else other than that stand the .243 or 7-08 get pulled out.

I have a 223, and it's a great shooter and I handload bullets that would be good for deer hunting. But i don't hunt deer with it. Plainly put, I want a caliber that allows more margin for error (my error). Now if a fellow is going to wait for just the right shot on a deer, and at a reasonable range, the 223 will do. But in my 50 years of deer hunting, those perfect opportunities aren't always there. Sometimes that big buck is moving along, and all I have is 6 or 8 seconds to get the gun up, the scope on the buck, and squeeze. Not much time. Maybe getting dark. Don't want to do a lot of tracking. Bring enough gun. And, what is enough gun you ask? Well, these days I hunt with a 260 and use 100 Nosler Ballistic Tips. That is enough gun, though the 120 gr version works better on deer. My old Sako 270 was and is most definitely enough gun.

As to whether or not a 223 is enough gun is your decision. If you are an experienced Hunter it probably is. If you are new to the game, it probably isn't. That's just the way I feel about it, right or wrong.

Funny part it's not my primary Weapon nor do I hunt with a AR but I have no issues with a AR if tuned in properly. I keep a little Howa Ranch Hand .223 for my head shot weapon and Corn Vultures and for the Ranger ride to Camp, I have never had a issue with results of s shot taken...it's just the "not adequate" attitude ...but whatever, I have a saying..Its your World I'm just Passing Through attitude. Good Luck to the OP and there is some outstanding AR's on the market now with a Ton of options.

My .02 cents. I've seen plenty of game (mostly pigs) that .223 fell short of doing a good clean job on. I'm not going to bash the round, but compared to others it has very little room for error and requires precise shot placement. I built an AR for all-around hunting, including deer, and went with 6.8SPC. Don't regret the decision one bit and IMHO it's a much better round for the job.

So Bissett.. if you're going to deer hunt from an AR platform, please consider 6.8SPC or .308.

if the .223 failed to kill the animal it was because of poor shot placement, poor projectile selection, or a combination of the two. The .223 absolutely destroys the insides of that animal, tumbling off bone and tearing up any soft tissue in its path. Growing up I have made some less than perfect shots with mine, but have never had a deer run more than 50 yards or so. most pile up within 25 yards, and several were DRT.

Consider that poor shot placement is actually a real consideration. It will happen and it will happen to all of us. A less than great shot with the 270 will (percentage wise) be more effective than a similar shot with a 223. It follows therefore that shooting deer with a 223 will result in more tracking and more lost deer than if the shooter used a 270. I'm not saying that about any specific person, but more about us as a large group of hunters. But heck, let's talk about me. I'm a long time Hunter (50+ years), and I have killed somewhere just shy of 300 deer. I firmly believe that if I'd done all that hunting and shooting with a 223, I'd have done far more tracking, and more unsuccessful tracking than I did. Right or wrong, that is my firm conviction.

If a 223 is all a fellow has, hunt with it. If he has other options (243 and up), leave the 223 at home.

[/URL[URL=http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/bigblues84/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20131026_191103_924_zps1viqnivr.jpg.html][/URL[URL=http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/bigblues84/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20131117_080808_615_zpschzgnbcj.jpg.html]. 223 hornady v max 55 grain enuff said

Have a "Idiot" that hunts on our place with a POS 30.06 never checks it. His feeder is about 55 yards from his two level Gas Tank stand that looks like a ..... and he has had a tracking Dog in, lost SEVERAL deer and a Axis..but he will tell you it's Money or the animal moved etc..etc...etc

Placement plain and simple, great harvests by the Kiddos

Good option is a .308 AR as mentioned above. Have had some great hunts with a DPMS 3G1. .308 is very versatile

If you have to ask, then you don't know your own ability, a 22 short will kill a deer. It's all about knowing your weapon and your own capability. If you shoot at a deer and he walks off, then it is your fault, the gun did it's part, the only excuse is operator error.

With so many better rounds out there, I've never understood why a hunter would make a .223 his first choice as a deer rifle. If the OP is swooning over an AR, he can choose an upper chambered for any number of more suitable cartridges....Grendel, 7.62x39, Creedmore, etc. DPMS now markets a 8-lb Hunter Lite in .243, 6.5, and .308, and it's a sweet outfit.

The .223 is adequate when everything is perfect. Choose a round suitable for the task when things go bad.

I wouldn't go elk hunting with a .243. I wouldn't tackle a grizzly with a .308. And I wouldn't choose a .223 as a deer rifle.

Got out of bed this morning and had to make a choice- do I take my 22-250 Tikka or my .223 AR.
I brought my 22-250.
Both will get the job done as long as shooter does his.
I have seen more lost deer with magnum guns than I have small calibers.
So take to the stand the caliber and rifle YOU shoot well and feel confident with.

I've been very pleased with the Hornady Match 75 grain BTHP.

Can't argue with the anti .223 guys.. Some people like me don't consider the .243 or .308 the "better round". OP clearly says his shots are 50-80 yards. Sounds to me like the .223 is perfect. I have anchored big deer and hogs well past the 100 yard mark and have never even questioned the rounds capabilities. If you're good with it, it's the better round. There is no substitute for making a good shot. Period.

I am curious which pistol caliber do you prefer, a 22 or a 38 or larger for a CHL everyday carry?

You got that stir stick out

Curious to know if he hunts duck and geese with a .410 too?

That's a completely different situation but I'll bite. I Love my 9mm shield. My hunting buddy carries a .22 sig mosquito, as big and bulky as it is because he trusts the gun and his kills with that particular weapon more than the s&w 9mm he also owns. I can't argue with that because he carries the gun he trusts.

My whole philosophy on the .223 is it will most definitely kill deer. If you trust your abilities with that round more so than say a .243 or bigger caliber, than THAT is the better gun. Better shots beat bigger bullets.

Like I said in previous threads, I mainly hunt with my .270 now. Not because it's bigger, but because I am good with it, and it was my grandpa's. I have no problem letting my gf hunt with my .223 because she has had plenty of practice with it, and can focus on making a good shot, rather than worry about recoil.

I agree! Placement and bullet type!

Man that's a WHOLE nother can of worms..
You know the weapon that will save your Life...The one you have ON you

If she has problems with recoil, then she needs more range time. I have a 7 year old granddaughter that can handle a 243 and 270.

Good for her! My gf doesn't like the bigger calibers. We get as much range time as we can. Between me being a high school teacher/coach, and her being in retail, time spent together is hard enough to come by, let alone range time. But I have yet to see her make less than a perfect shot on any large game because she trusts her weapon (my Remington 700 .223)

Well, I never said that the 223 wouldn't work on deer. I know it will, though I'd trust it to be more effective in the hands of an experienced hunter. I have some of the Nosler 64 gr BSB's loaded up and they shoot great. And, I've been thinking about using it on a deer. But then I remember how tough the underbrush here is and how I really don't want to go up in there and drag a deer out. So I grab the 260. Sometimes, even with what you and I would consider perfect bullet placement, they still will run. Maybe folks consider the definition of perfect placement to be that the deer drops on the spot. Some drop, and some don't, no matter what caliber you use. You already know which one won't drop. That's the one where you see the big buck and it's sleeting sideways and the world is deep mud and you can hardly feel your fingers. That's when the buck won't drop. Believe me...I've got that t-shirt.