My nephiew has the handi rifle in 223. as his deer rifle (dropped two in their tracks last year). It shoots very good and it' s good looking too. I personaly have no liking for synthetic stocks but I have shot my friends 17hrm light rifle and it was really good too. It wasn' t any more accurate than the wooden stock 223 but it was lighter. One thing to keep in mind is that a scope adds alot of weight to the gun. I have a handi in 30-06 that was 7 pounds with no scope. I put a big scope on it and with the rings and bases, and the leather sling this rifle is now pushing over 8 pounds. That' s a chunk for a little rifle.

I think you will be very happy with the synthetic stock .223 with the heavy barrel. I' m about the same height as you and NEF guns have a better fit and feel than about any other guns I' ve shot.