Soon after I bought this gun I was glad I didnt get the ruger. I still think that they are nice guns but like you said I could have 4 or 5 handi's for the price. Since I bought this .223 my dad got me a .410 pardner for christmas, my mom got me a .22 sporster, and Ive bought a .22 hornet, a heavy barrel .243, and a youth light .243 for my wife to hunt with.
The .22 hornet and .22 sporster both shoot the best completely stock. The .22 will drive nails at 50-100 yds and the hornet isnt far off. The .243 youth has a good trigger and is only used for deer hunting a few times a year. These guns I probably wont mess with. Except the sporster and Ive just got a wood stock for it
My heavy barrel .243 on the other hand may get the same treatment as the .223
So far Im planning on adding a 45/70 (there is one at the local gun shop for $200 but no work means no money) a .357 mag, and a .308 or 30/06, maybe both. I might add a .444 and .35 rem. A 30/30 would be cool too. And since Im getting a .357 I guess Ill want the .44 mag as well. And Im sure there are others.