Hi John;
My reason for the .223 is my past profession. I was a Taxidermist. Having seen the end results on many small animals that were shot with big bore guns or high speed mid range rifles, I chose to try and limit the possible damage. Two years ago, my friend took what will come to be the #37 Steenbok with a 7 mag. It cut the animal nearly in half. He just managed to get a shoulder mount but would have preferred lifesize. Shotguns on Blue Duiker, Caracal Cat, Genet....it ain't pretty. Vervet Monkeys...we won't go there
I'm seriously considering taking my .17 HRF next year. It would be just the ticket for Monkeys, Springhare, Blue Duiker etc. Plus, I figure why own several guns and never use them. None of my friends have ever used their .223 in Africa. I did, and it worked very well. May take it back and let my wife use it for Springbok, Gray Duiker etc. Now that we have the Nosler partition in 60 grain, maybe their will be a Grand Slam or TB Bear Claw or Barnes coming. Good hunting, grayghost