I have a Savage Model 12-fv chambered in 223. I got it as a safety award from work so I do not know what it cost?
I had a trigger job done on it & it really will shoot one ragged hole @ 100-yards.
I owned a 22-250 for a few years before I got the 223. I do not know how I ever got by varmit hunting without a 223. The 223 uses less powder & takes longer to heat up than the 22-250.
I take the 22-250 & 223 both prarie dog & gopher hunting so one can cool down while the other heats up.
When I am just going out to call coyotes I pack the 223 more often than the 22-250.

I am not sure if the 223 is good out to 600-yards on coyotes? My shots when I call coyotes are always inside 400-yards. I have been told from a Nosler rep that if you load a 40-grain ballistic tip with a max load of Hodgdon Benchmark powder you can match the ballistics of the 22-250. I have not tried the load myself. I will be playing with that load in the next few weeks.