i have a 22 and a .17, the 22 collects dust now while the .17 gets the field time. I wouldnt want to hunt rabbits with it though, the shotgun would win hands down in that category, but for all else the .17 is my pick. The only reasonn i wouldnt want to hunt rabbits with it is because its to darn hard to hit a running rabbit with anything but a shotgun. And for that id go with a 20 or 12 gauge. Recoil on a 223 wont bother ya none there ***** cats to shoot.