I will be using the gun on coyotes & prairie dogs, so I will be shooting as far away as I can see them. I have a 1/2 shooting .300win mag with a 5.5x22x56 nightforce scope for bigger animals at long range. I considered .204 ruger but it is not leagal for cougars. I realy wanted something pelt freindly also & the .223 would be alot more pocket freindly for shooting groundhogs. Also considered .243, but I would rather have that caliber in a bolt gun to get everything out of it, plus it would be expensive to feed for prairie dogs!