ya know I have both Id stick with the .223 its lighter and more compact and you can shoot a fox if ya see it with out destroyin it or Ive heard about these .17s that are awsum for varmits but if you want to deer hunt with it also go with the 22-250 the .223 I know from experience is not a good deer gun but the .223 almost has no kick and is good for very fast shooting so it just depends on what it will be used for