I am right across the Big river from ya in Iowa and I understand your situation as I am dealing witht the same game and uses. What brand? A Savage of course. I really prefer a heavy barrel and so my favorties are the Model 12's. I have a 22-250 in a 12FV thats a real tack driver out to 300 meters that our range here goes out to, and it does a great job on all the different varmints it has come across. You didn't say if you prefer Stainless, or wood, repeater or single shot, etc. but I feel that the 12FV is a great place to get started, and there are nicer model 12's available as far as stainless and stocks go.
I also have a 204, a 223, and a 243AI. The 204 is as great as the 22-250 as far as accuracy but I notice a lot more wind drift with the smaller bullet. The 223 does a good job, but I find I like the flatter 22-250 or 204 over the 223 and as such I ussually limit my use to 200yds when hunting, but I know a lot of people use them effectively out further than I choose to. The 243AI is a newer one to me and I am still testing it out, but it shows great promise. I have used a 243 with great success and accuracy, bucks the wind well, and hits nice and hard. Little more recoil, little harder hitting, and can be used up through deer if a hunting trip is someday in your future.
If you reload then cost of ammo is kind of a moot point, if you don't then a 223 is nice and cheap on ammo if you go through alot of it. Just some thoughts to think about. And I am sorry for rambling too much :P
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