I watch this thread with interest and take notice of your observations @
grandpamac.
I have just acquired a cheap .223 as an exercise to see how it will fit in as a complement to the .308
I want something that will be a good varmint rifle - the hares are getting wiser and sitting just outside the reach of the .22WMR - but if a small pig or deer just happens along, I could use it on that as well.
Whilst I see @
Tahr and others using a .223 to good effect on smaller deer, I am definitely not there at that level of skill or confidence - and accept that I may never be - and will most likely be passing any deer up if only out with my .223
The other one that I have considered and am still considering is a 6.5 Grendel. I also have the .243 and am loading that for long range varmints but tend to think of it as overkill, though most definitely wouldn't hesitate to use it on deer if the right opportunity presented itself.
Ohh, so many things to play with and so little time.....
Cheers
Phil