I average somewhere around 150 rounds per month of centerfire shooting. Certainly not as much as some, but probably more than most. And I've definitely found that the more I shoot the better I shoot. What I'm shooting doesn't matter nearly as much as the volume. And yes, I shoot .223 from a bolt gun more than anything else.

So a .223 has been ordered...thanks for all the opinions, input, ideas, thoughts, and suggestions.

I'm at a loss as to why you would want to practice shooting a different caliber then what you are actually hunting with? Back in the 80's and 90's, before the internet and when we relied on hunting magazines for information, I got caught up in the newest calibers, newest rifles, newest-bestest things out there that the writer would talk about, and bought stuff that I didn't need, and eventually learned, I didn't even want. An old timer that I first learned from said to buy a quality rifle in a popular caliber that you can find ammo for anywhere you go, and learn to shoot it. It took me decades to actually believe this, but now that I do, I don't have any need or desire to have any other caliber or rifle. Remingtion 700 BDL in 30-06 is 36 years old and still shooting less then one inch groups with factory 165 Federal Premium ammo that I buy off the shelf. I'm on my 3rd scope, but, but that's more from going cheap with the first one, and then finding a fantastic deal on the Zeiss that it has on it now.

I think you made a good selection with 223.

The next question will be, "is a .223 enough gun for deer?