the .222 was indeed a more inherently accurate cartridge than the .223, but the .223 has rendered the triple-deuce obsolete. Been years since I've seen a factory rifle chambered in .222

Personally, if I was in the market for a .22 cal varmint rig, I'd go .22-250

But then again, I have a Savage 112 FP in .223 that prints sub-1" groups at over 200 yards...