I'll give another nod to the 22-250. It's got more of the good stuff than a .223 and is still readily available unlike the 220swift. The perfect balance. No recoil worth mentioning only the price of ammo. It's alot more than a .223...but still in line with any other popular high-power rifle cartridge. I however, would suggest finding a maker with the 1-12" twist barrel. This knocks out he the remingtons (Which is what I have). Savage I believe makes the 1-12" twist and perhaps a few others. Why do I say this? So you can shoot the slightly heavier bullets without wondering if your barrel will stabilize them. (55gr and 60-64gr). My remington doesn't do poorly with 55gr....but I've only shot them out to 100yards.