The a above quote is from the OP, so it's worth going back and reading his entire post, and his concerns. He has already decided on the make and model of rifle he will buy but is in a quandary about the caliber choice. Simple answer: buy the .223 and don't look back. For all the sound reasons previously posted on this thread. Recoil will be so nearly identical as to be virtually undetectable. Likewise, accuracy will be the same, and there is no reason to think different. The .222 has a well deserved reputation for fine accuracy, as it was highly successful in benchrest competition for a number of years. But that was before the .223 became a factor, after which time the .223 began replacing the .222 in winner's boxs. Somewhat later they were both rendered obsolete by a new category in the benchrest(NBRSA) rule book. Having said that, I confess I have a soft spot in my heart for the .222 and tend to gather them up somewhat like an animal lover picking up stray dogs. But I'm also a fan of the .223, so I have a few of them around too. As shown here: with one pic showing a cute, early series Ruger #1, in .222, and a sweet Mannlicher style Sako .222, plus a customized Ruger#1 .223. Other pic is a benchrest rifle built by Ed Shilen during the .222's glory days, and a LH Remington .40-X in .223 cal., which is fully as accurate as the heavier .222.