Thanks to everyone for their input!
The data and experiences presented, make a fairly convincing point that the .222/.223 has a valid place in this game. Hopefully any punters new to the sport, take on the advice given if contemplating using one of these calibres.
For what it’s worth, when I started out I was completely comfortable shooting game with a .223, but was ‘talked out’ of it by others. Prior to my mishap with the sika and .222 I talked about earlier, the only animal I had lost was with a .270... Again all my fault, by not doing things my usual way.
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