I think that as the AR15 platfrom becomes more popular for hunting so will the 223, as the current trend has shown. It will never replace the 243 of course, but it already has taken some of the market away from that cartridge. I hear of lots of folks using a 22 centerfire these days vs 10 years ago. Most states allow the use of 223CF cartridges as well. The ones that don't are the exception, not the norm.
I have used the 223 on both deer and hogs sucessfully. I have never felt handicapped and the animals died no slower or faster.
