.223 vs 5.56 which is better for Hunting

Forget bear with either of those calibres. The .223 and the 5.56 NATO cartridges are not identical. Going by memory Remington came out with the .223 as a sporting round and the military used that as the basis for the 5.65 mm. The chambering is different. The neck lengths were not the same and I think the slope angle of the shoulder is different, not sure on that one. Since then there have been several modifications to the 5.56. The original round carried the designation of M193. The second, I’m not sure of the US designation, I knew it as SS109, had a heavier bullet and faster rifling. Since then I believe there has been several changes that I have not kept up with. But don’t go poking holes in bears with either.

I've found bears to have very little interest in conversation.  Although, I have gotten some great tips on rabbit and salmon preparation.

I didn't say it could not be done, hell I am sure with the right hunter and the right shot you can take a grizzly with a 5.56, I am just saying in the hands of the average hunter, use of smaller calibers is not very humane. I hate to see animals put thru any more pain/misery than necessary. If you cant drop the animal with one clean shot, its not humane and without the perfect shot placement, smaller rounds usually don't do that. 

This seems like one of those never ending gun forum debates. I don't know any hunters that advocate for the needles suffering of animals. I have seen hunters wound animals with shotguns, large caliber rifles and even black powder rifles. I'm not so sure that caliber/cartridge choice is really the debate. Skill and experience may be a more valid debate topic.

I was recently chastised in a conversation because I expressed my opinion of novice adult hunters in the woods of Wisconsin. I said that I believe that hunting is passed down from generation to generation. I learned from experienced hunters in my family. They learned the same way and so on. A guy experiencing a mid life crisis deciding to "take up hunting" is the last type of individual I want to come across in the woods. I'm way more concerned with the individuals skills sets and motivation for hunting than their choice in guns and ammo. Just my opinion. And boy do I got lots of opinions.

However, like pellius pointed out, we need to stay clear of insults while engaged in discussion. The laughing Good Fellas might be a little over the top for the worlds friendliest sword forum. Just sayin'.

Here's one for you; grabbing your .22 LR when seeking an elephant. It's been done. There was a poacher in Africa used this as his preferred weapon. He had bagged 4 before being caught. He was familiar enough with the elephants atomy to know where and when to make his shot. He timed it depending on the position of the elephant's front leg when walking. Some tracking was required before the elephant bleed out from the heart wound. Though it's possible to take any game depending on one's skill and knowledge a .22 LR would not be my choice on an elephant hunt.

Please don't try to hunt a bear with a .223 or 5.56. Lol. Though I did know someone who's step father hunted bears with a very powerful revolver but I forget which caliber. Though I believe that was more of a back - up.

I only hunt pests, so I can't comment on deers, as in my area they aren't regarded as such, but I can tell you whatever round my mosin is chambered in will go through 2 geese and more in one shot.

Boring and humorless?  Not while I'm around mister.  

You are brave. I use hounds and a board spear and plenty of peasant beaters as distractions.