Spydr, I posted a poll a long time ago on this very caliber, The response was well in favor of the .223, for many reasons, mainly cost and ease of reloading and reloading supplies. I am going to get a .223 barrel for my Encore and started gathering brass, way easier to find(in the range bucket) than 22-250. Whatever you decide I'm sure you'll be happy with, but the .223 seems to be the most popular. I was even thinking about getting a barrel in .204, but being a new round, I think supplies would be a little harder to get, like extra factory rounds at the local Co Op, when you forget your ammo box at home.
My 2 cents