jasonwinn,
What will be the most important thing to you after the fun target part? Cost of ammo?....or practicality if you decide to hunt?
For fun at the range and easy on the pocket book the advice of the .223 is perfect. However, a .223 wil leave you a bit handcuffed when you decide to hunt. There will be a bunch af game you'd be better off chasing with something bigger.
Do you handload?