Alright guys here's my delima. I'm going to buy a new deer rifle in the next few weeks for this upcoming season. I have it narrowed down to two rifles. First is a Remington 700 sps AAC .223 with a 16.5" threaded barrel. The second is a weatherby vanguard walnut stock blued barrel in .243. I hunt pretty thick woods on our deer lease so my farthest shot will be 150yds max, but more like 75-100yds mostly. We're talking NC whitetaiLs so not really big bodied deer. I want the sps tactical because it reeds my inner gun nut. It's cool. 16.5" barrel isn't something you see a lot. It has a lot of room for modifications. I would build it as a tactical rifle but still use it to hunt. By build I mean McMillan a4 sure fire brake 20 Moa base some sort of mil or Moa scope bipod and eventually suppressor. This is a gun I've wanted for a while also. The downside to this is .223 is probably the smallest caliber I would ever use for deer. I know it will do the trick but it still is small. Second is the weatherby vanguard. A classic deer rifle in a little more comfortable/suitable caliber. It has the beautiful walnut stock  and all I would ever do to this gun is put a nice base rings and glass on it. All I would do is probably shoot it at the beginning of the year to confirm zero then hunt with it. Like I said it's classic and it would be something that would be around for a long time and I could hand down to my son one day. Price on both rifles is the same so money isn't an issue. I wish I could buy both but that's not possible. So what say oh guys.

Poll needs a "neither" option.

If those are the only two options, and you're shooting in "heavy woods,"  go with the .243...
Both options are too light for my taste in anything other than wide open (no brush or tall grass, thicket, etc) shooting lanes.
Deflection/fragmentation of light & fast bullets cost me a few deer back when I had my .264 WinMag.

I love the 700SPS.  I have it's predecessor, the 700BDL SS. Mine is 30-06.

If I were shooting the lease you described, I'd go with .308 or 30-06.

Why not get the 700 but in .308? .223 would be fine for deer as long as you are careful with bullet selection but .308 would be a better choice.

I love a 243 for deer. I have a MVP 223 supressed and its a lot of fun too, but haven't killed a deer with it yet.

I would go with the 700 in at least .308 if those two rifles are your only options, especially if in thicker cover.

i know many folks have taken deer with .223 but imo its a bit small. go wiht the .243 or 308. its just all around better in he killing department with a deer sized animal.

Of those 2 the Vanguard for sure.

That's a no brainer. Get the Weatherby. 243 Win will be fine for deer with the proper bullet.

This.

Another vote for .308.

I'm assuming that the NC deer are a bit bigger than our puny FL deer, but .223 is plenty for the deer down here.

Ruger predator in 6.5 creedmoor

i dont think the eastern side of the state has huge deer.

I shot a doe when I was in NC that was maybe 100lbs. It was considered big.

I vote neither and recommend a T3. Best out of the box rifle for the money.

 
This

I love my Vanguard, but it's in .257 Wby.  I would move up in caliber, but stick with the Vanguard.

I have sps in 308, to damn heavy

NC deer are small.  223 is fine.  If you feel inclined, bump it up to 6.5 or 6.8.

The only downside I see to the SPS is weight.  Feed it a premium bonded bullet and put it where it needs to go and you'll be fine with the 223.  I prefer the Gold Dot.

Deflection sucks with pretty much any high velocity round, make sure you aren't shooting through brush/limbs.

I'd have to +1 this one also.

I have 2 weatherby rifles and love them, one is a 243 that will be carried for deer season this year. I think it's a great choice.