How about one of these?
7.62x51 NATO with the recoil of a .223.
No, I am not advertising for them, I am just really liking them after getting some trigger time on one recently!
Engage a target at 10 yards with offset iron sights, and then go for an easy 500 yard shot...All with a good solid punch delivered by a full-power rifle round.
The picture that I posted was from the manufacturer, the gun that I fired did not have the mini red-dot on top of the scope.