Largest game taken w/ .223 rifle

[seeker_two]

What's the largest game animal you've taken w/ a .223 caliber rifle (both species & size)? I'm debating getting a light bolt-gun in .223 or 7.62x39, and I already know what to expect from the 7.62. (and I already have a major-caliber bolt gun).

Many thanks in advance...

 

[Art Eatman]

Folks will use a .223 on deer-sized critters, but I don't recommend it unless you're absolutely positive about the shot placement. Neck, heart, relatively close range. Smallish deer.

IMO, the .223 is a great coyote round. Does well on turtles in a stock tank, too.

Art

 

[dakotasin]

i've taken prairie dogs out to +/- 500 yards w/ a 223.

i don't understand what the fascination is with using the smallest possible gun to shoot a critter. why not use something bigger, and leave no doubt as to effectiveness rather than risk it w/ something small?

 

[RustyHammer]

I'm sure someone in our military has bagged a 300+ pound Iraqi recently. Does THAT count?