You keep saying you don't want something that is going to have lots of recoil, then definitely shoot these larger caliber rifles first. 30-06 has a good amount of recoil. What is this rifle going to be used for? And I disagree with your brother about the availability of ammo in .223. Surplus and everyone and their brother has an ar-15 just stop buy a gun shop and see how much 5.56 ammo they have.