OzFclass

If you get a 308 you can shoot sh std, and drop any animal in australia. But if not, 6.5CM is the current favourite, even if a 260 will do the same stuff. a 243 would be a bit of a barrel burner as a target rifle.

The OP being a handloader and hunting being the prime use, really surprised nobody suggested the 6.5x55. No slouch for a bit of target work either.

Well guys I actually lashed out on a Tikka 243 Forest - a sporter rifle that I'll use for hunting and SH category.
I figured that loading gear, projectiles and cases are plentiful as well as less expensive as other calibres.

We'll see how it goes....

loneranger wrote:Well guys I actually lashed out on a Tikka 243 Forest - a sporter rifle that I'll use for hunting and SH category.
I figured that loading gear, projectiles and cases are plentiful as well as less expensive as other calibres.

We'll see how it goes....

Awesome, now go and enjoy

Getting a Tikka .308 Action/bolt and you can switch barrel for every one of those calibers on the same action and bolt. Just saying.

We’ll ended up buying a .243 Forester. Done lots of load development now and finally found an accurate hunting load range . 41.5gn to 42.0gn 2209, 87gn Vmaxes, Lapua cases & BR2 primers produced 0.2 - 0.4 MOA. I think the final load will be 41.7, 41.8 or 41.9gn.
Time to test it on game now….

I would go creedmore, if you change your mind it will be easy to sell because they are so popular. And it does everything you said you want , anyways.
Having said that I do SH with a 308.... but if I wanted another caliber, i'd probably get the creedmore.

PS. I once had a 260 ackley for FO and it was very very good. I regret selling that rifle !