If I had been asked this question 10 years ago, I would have responded quite differently. I have changed a bit, but so have the available bullets. I have always been a fan of the 22-250. That said, for this area it doesn't really do anything for you that the 223 doesn't unless you are into long range target shooting. As a practical cartridge the 223 simply gets the job done. In a modern bolt action rifle it is very accurate. Ammo is everywhere and it's affordable. The cartridge doesn't have the noise or the muzzle flash of higher power 22 bore center fires. Recoil is such that you can keep your eyes on your target even in a lightweight rifle. There are a number of bullets that are stout enough to reliably take deer. I handload, so I use Nosler Partitions. For the non-handloader, there's no reason to look any further than Federal Fusion from your local Academy. Properly placed, those bullets will flat out anchor deer and hog.
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