Here is an opinion from a non hunter. I'd go with the .223, cheaper ammo so you can afford more practice, less recoil and muzzle blast plus lots of factory ammo choices.
If your state dose not allow anything smaller that .243 for hunting, the ARC or 6.5 Grendel would be fine choices. Right now with ammo being scarce I'd likely go with the 6.5 Grendel that has many more factory ammo loadings. If you reload, the brass for the Grendel has been less hard to get.
If recoil is a primary factor and it's a choice between the ARC and Grendel, the nod goes to the ARC.
If your state dose not allow anything smaller that .243 for hunting, the ARC or 6.5 Grendel would be fine choices. Right now with ammo being scarce I'd likely go with the 6.5 Grendel that has many more factory ammo loadings. If you reload, the brass for the Grendel has been less hard to get.
If recoil is a primary factor and it's a choice between the ARC and Grendel, the nod goes to the ARC.