It does not cost me anywhere near 20 cents a round for 223. I have 5000 brass that were free for the picking up and bullets bulk are dirt cheap. I can reload them for a fraction of what the 17 HMR costs. I can't reload the rimfires. Therefore the 223 is much cheaper. For me. I have nothing against the 17 HMR its just that I am a reloader and thats not an option with the rimmies. I can get plenty close to the squirrels to use the 22 rimfire.