i have a .308, .25-06, .270. want to get another cartridge that I don't have. Thinking about a .30-06 or a .243. Pros and cons of why you would choose one over the other?

You already have an ideal cartridge for Texas deer.

But, if you want a 243 or 30 06 for the same thing, I'd go with a 243. I've had good luck with one for Texas sized deer, and recoil is nothing.

You already have many excellent deer cartridge rifles available to you. Any of those you mentioned will do the job. However, if you just have to have a new cartridge then I would give some consideration to several factors: 1. Availability of ammunition 2. What you might be hunting in addition to deer 3. How much recoil can you tolerate and 3. What kind of money do you want to spend. As mentioned above, 243 Win is a good choice if you might also be hunting varmints but it is marginal for hogs, etc. In my judgement, 30-06 would be the best all around choice. With proper loads it can hunt mice to moose. It is easily handloaded for with a wide variety of bullets available. Just about every rifle maker has 30-06 in their offerings. The only drawback is recoil. It can be pretty stout with heavier bullet weights. Thats my two bits worth.

You already have 3 very redundant Texas WTail shooters ...why expand that redundancy?

Why not step out of the narrow performance window you have, and are looking to repeat, and do something somewhat different?

I'd look at a mebbe 30-30 or someother lever gun in a WTail caliber, or mebbe a bigger and uncommon non magnum caliber. I did when I chose a 9.3x62 when I was in a similar circumstance, and have been super surprised and pleased at the result.

Think outside the every day box and see what else is available, would be my thoughts. Just sayin'...
Cheers
Ron

Please explain how it is marginal for hogs.

Of those two I would do the .243 hands down

With your collection already I would get something different. Maybe a 6mm, something in 6.5, or 6.8 or a 22-250

Maybe try a Weatherby round?

260 Remington!!!

Well, you already have 3 Texas deer rifles, and you want a fourth? God did not build a wall around Texas. I would either go big for elk/moose/grizzly with a .300 WM or .338 WM, or I would build a dedicated prairie dog/varmint gun around a .223 or .22-250. Nothing wrong with a .375 Holland or a .416, if Africa is on your bucket list.

But like me, you may already have these extremes and just want another toy. Then: .243 or 7mm-08.

06 would pretty much duplicate the performance of your 308. Of the two I take the 243. Just make sure you use bullets designed for deer.

Seven millimeter oh eight.

Hmmmm....guess I'm gonna have to rethink using my .223 single shot. I guess those hogs I've put in the freezer just died from fright!

Otherwise, I'm sorta in Dawaba's corner. You've already got the market cornered for Texas Whitetails. A .243 or 7-08 would be adding to the group. A 30.06 fits too and would get you a little heavier bullet selection over the .270, but why not get yourself something to play with. A .300 or .338mag or bigger could be fun. Heck just go get yourself a Marlin 1895, something similar, or a single shot in 45-70 and go have a ball. Those slow moving big chunks of lead are pretty neat....and they will definitely put animals down

I'd get a 6.5X55 Swede! It's by far my favorite deer rifle. You talk about low recoil with incredible knock down power. But then again based on what you already have I'd go with either a 22-250 or a 300 win or short mag.

How's about a 25 STW? Pretty quick little round.

7wsm for the win!

257 weatherby magnum!!!! Unless you want availible rounds. Aint a thing wrong with a .243.

I'd also suggest the 260. Great round. Low recoil.

35 Whelen,338 Win Mag, or 325 WSM would be a good one. I'll have a Whelen one of these days!!

8mm




Just to be different.

Of those listed, .30-06. Super versatile.

If you want to stay in the same genre, 257 Roberts is a good choice. That's the next caliber I want in a hunting rifle.

Firemans right. 260 all the way.

260

If the 260 is as good as y'all say, I want one too.

Boring plus he has a 308 and 2506

He is asking between a .30-06 and a .243. Like you said he's already got that niche covered. Of those, .30-06 can take most any game in North America depending on load. If he wants more of the same, the 257 is more of the same. I also think .260 is a really good round.