GeorgiaBob
Senior Member
In reply to the original post. A .223 round will kill deer, with the qualifier that the shot must be very well placed and even if well placed it is still possible for a deer to run 100s of yards after being shot (true with most calibers). The only real difference is that a heavier 30.06, or 308, or even .270 rounds could deform marginally faster, spread damage slightly better and might - might - cause a wounded deer to stop sooner - might.
At "Georgia hunting" distances, the length of barrel is not a big deal. An AR platform with a 16" barrel will have plenty of kinetic energy at 200 yards and most hunters in Georgia are shooting 100 yards or less.
As to what rifle, Remington offers about 20 different rifles in .223 and most of them are bolt action. I love my bolt action Springfield .03 that Dad "sporterized" in 1950. It will hit anything I point it at - even out to 500 yards. But, I would not want a bolt gun in .223. The only real advantage I see in hunting with a .223 would be the ability to take a second shot - right now - if needed to finish the job. So .223, AR platform, don't matter - for deer hunting whether you have a 16" barrel, or 20" - you can dependably harvest deer.
At "Georgia hunting" distances, the length of barrel is not a big deal. An AR platform with a 16" barrel will have plenty of kinetic energy at 200 yards and most hunters in Georgia are shooting 100 yards or less.
As to what rifle, Remington offers about 20 different rifles in .223 and most of them are bolt action. I love my bolt action Springfield .03 that Dad "sporterized" in 1950. It will hit anything I point it at - even out to 500 yards. But, I would not want a bolt gun in .223. The only real advantage I see in hunting with a .223 would be the ability to take a second shot - right now - if needed to finish the job. So .223, AR platform, don't matter - for deer hunting whether you have a 16" barrel, or 20" - you can dependably harvest deer.