Here's how I look at it. You will shoot the best with the gun you shoot the most. I own multiple guns, but I am a firm believer in the "beware the man with but one gun" saying. My point is that you will probably shoot the 223 the most as it is the cheapest. The 22-250 and 220 swift are great rounds, but they are not any good if you don't shoot them. If you are like me (maybe a little cheap) you will shoot the more expensive stuff less. Out to 250 yards I shoot my modified mini-14 at game just as well or better than most do with their expensive rifles and rounds. This is simply because I put a lot of rounds through it. It depends a little on your hunting style too. My shots are seldom past 200 yards with my hunting style. When I hunt in such a way that the shots are longer, I grab my brother's 25-06 Remington Sendero. Most anything this side of 500 is dead then. I like 223 because I like to shoot a lot. That makes you a good shot, not throwing money at fancy products. Find a gun/cartridge combo you like, and shoot it a lot! I don't know if I necessarily agree with all the hoopla about which cartridge ruins fur more less than other rounds. Some bullet/cartridge combos definitely are more damaging than others, but I think shot placement is more important. I have seen a 300 mag poke a little tiny entrance and exit hole, a 22-250 blow chunks like you wouldn't believe, and vice versa. When I am fur hunting, I use my 223 with FMJ's and try for a broadside heart/lung shot. Good Luck!