in my neck of the woods, most people would laugh at anyone using a 223 for anything other than varmints. They don't realize what it is capable of with good bullets, and a good shooter. My vote is 223
Be a good role model and start using a .223 and teach them. We've used them (and .22-250) since Tenn. changed it to "any center fire rifle" a few years ago. Not full time, but they're in rotation.
Which reminds me: I need to step up my stunt-shooter game with a .17 center fire deer rifle...