I have a .223, .243, and 25-06. If I could only keep one, I' d take the .243 in a heart beat! But.....you said that you don' t plan on hunting anything else like deer, so......I would have to recommend the .223. I have a New England Varminter break action with bull barrel. With Winchester factory 45 grain hollow points, it shoots .75 inch at hundred yards. (I know what you' re thinking, cheap gun, bad trigger, but the darn thing hits what you aim it at)