I will add, that the .223 will NOT result in a DRT animal if you shoot heart/lungs. I shot one buck last year in the neck that, of course, dropped on the spot. All the other game made it 30-45 yards before piling up.
The bigger calibers can take a high shoulder shot and drop them instantly. The trade off is worth it for me (so far).
All my shots are 250 yards or less. I'm not comfortable with the killing power any further than that - yet....
I've had more DRT with a 223AI than with anything else I've used.
