Having seen first hand what a .223 loaded with 60 grain Nosler Partitions will do to the vitals of a deer I would have no qualms using it again. Would I be willing to take a 400 yard shot with it, no I would rather have more horsepower for that shot. I still keep wondering why if so many hogs are killed with .223's why would it be tougher to kill a white-tail with one, simple answer it isn't. Some years ago on another forum a gentleman from California had the opportunity to take his daughter on a special elk hunt, he was somewhat concerned that she wanted to use her .243, shot would be 100 yards or less, and he would be with her the whole time, overwhelming consensus was, load up some 100 grain Nosler Partitions, let her practice, sharpen your knife and charge the camera batteries. he later posted some nice pics of her elk. Bullet selection, shot placement and reasonable distance.