For a shooter, get a Savage .223.

Has a 9" twist standard which will give you excellent results at high speed with long bullet 62 grain milsurp ammo and excellent accuracy with the lighter bullets as well. Might turn in good accuracy with the extra-long 77 grain bullets too but I've not shot any of those yet.

I have killed hundreds of grounds squirrels on my ranch here with my Savage 112 {186 this year from all calibers, mostly with the Savage}. Here's mine {albeit painted, behind the Muaser on the shooting deck of my UTV}: