Ruger and Weatherby have cheaper 223REM rifles. Both around the $600 mark. I bought a Tikka recently in 223 for $870. I do reload but wanted to stick with tried and tested. The other choice I would have gone for was a .204 but again tried and tested cal was my criteria. We shoot a lot of foxes during the day with the whisle and blast them with the 223 and no we dont keep the pelts. The 223 destroys them good and proper.

Dave