I use to believe .223 wasn't a good deer round, until my son bought a .223 Savage Axis, and proceeded to get deer with-13 in one year. (he hunts with a group that can't shoot well, and he can. they kick 'em out he get's 'em.) And one with his .357 revolver, just to show off. The deer he got that year were with Honady Superformance 55 gr. (Vmax bullet) factory rounds, ranges from 10 yards to 225. None went more than 50 yards.
Let me make it clear that I don't think the .223 is a good deer round for everybody. If you think 'paper plate' accuracy is good enough, .223 is not the round for you. But if you can call your shots, and are willing to pass up marginal shots, it will work. I was impressed enough that when a friend offer me the .223 Axis his wife didn't want, I bought it. I worked up a load that has worked well with 55 bullets of all types I've tried so far. I load V-Max's for him, and Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmints for myself.
Not the caliber's fault. That's on the shooter(s).