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....
If you can't find game that went 30-40 yards you have no business... actually about how far most deer went with 257 wtby...for us anyway.
Regardless IF you use good bullets ( a lot of 55 sps are NOT good bullets IMHO) the 223 kills well. But its not a boy scout round.
