I'd just like to say that while I have cussed the .223 as a deer cartridge in the past, I have come around to the idea that it just wasn't ideal for MY deer hunting style and location.
Given the opportunity to hunt from a tree stand, and excluding the need to reach 300 yards, I'd give it another go.
To the OP's question: Back when I tried it on deer and antelope I thought it to be quite the disappointment, but that was with 55gr cup and core bullets of the late 90's. I have a friend who uses 68gr bullets in his hand loads and has had great success with the .223, felling deer almost as well as any .243 100gr load I've born witness to. Times and projectiles change.
Given the opportunity to hunt from a tree stand, and excluding the need to reach 300 yards, I'd give it another go.
To the OP's question: Back when I tried it on deer and antelope I thought it to be quite the disappointment, but that was with 55gr cup and core bullets of the late 90's. I have a friend who uses 68gr bullets in his hand loads and has had great success with the .223, felling deer almost as well as any .243 100gr load I've born witness to. Times and projectiles change.