The first deer I killed with a .22 CF was back in the early 80's. It was a Rem 788 chambered in .222 and the rack from the 172 lb. 8 point is hanging in my living room now. One shot through the lungs from 125 yards and he dropped right there. Since then I've killed a pile with the .222, .223 and .22-250. I never lost a deer with any of them so I'd have to say they're adequate but I was always pretty careful about my shot placement and maybe a little lucky. I would not however, call the .223 or any .22 centerfire "my best woods rifle for big game" or even my best for deer.
