5.45 x 39 is .221 IIRC - and it has very gentle recoil.
I'd recommend a good ak in 22lr, but those are pretty rare and you can only get 10 round magazines.
I am again humbled by a freeper's technical knowledge of firearms...
They didn't teach us about 22's at Parris Island.
BTW, are they legal in NY? I'm looking for a new toy...