5.56 vs. .308 for Hunting
Light, cheap, and low-recoil versus a true big-game cartridge — matching the round to your game.
The Short Answer
For hunting, these two cartridges occupy different lanes. 5.56/.223 is light-recoiling and cheap, and it excels on varmints and predators (coyotes, hogs in some areas) — but it's marginal for deer and is actually illegal for deer in a number of states because it lacks the energy for reliably ethical kills at typical distances. If your quarry is small to medium and the law allows it, 5.56 is a fun, flat-shooting option.
.308 Winchester is a true big-game cartridge: it carries enough energy for deer, elk, and hogs well past 300 yards, and a wide range of hunting bullets makes it versatile and effective. The cost is more recoil, heavier and pricier ammo. The simple rule: for deer and larger game, choose .308 (and confirm your state's caliber minimums); reserve 5.56 for varmints, predators, and where it's legal and appropriate.