The .223 is not my idea of a big game cartridge at all. I also think with the right bullet, distance and placement it will kill about any thing. I had a couple of friends who shot many of Alaska's small deer and black bear with the .223 and they carried it on islands known for big brown bear. When I hunted Montague and other Prince William Sound islands for deer I stepped down from my.338 and took my 30-06.
It is a very popular round in rural Alaska for caribou and some use it for moose. There are many caribou killed with the Mini 14 and AR every year and many run off with bullet holes in them. the winter caribou are not very big and easy to get close to in remote areas and .223 ammo is cheap and every where. So that is what is used in many villages.
So yes, it will kill about any critter, but it is darn sure not ideal for killing about any critter. How small is to small and how far is to far, the debate will never end...…..
