Need help deciding 223, 243, 7mm?

[RBetts]

My 243 will stabilize 105 a-max's with a 10 twist. I mostly shoot the 70-85gn bullets though it though.
This is a great round for paper and hunting. Low recoil, great bullets, and enough pop to flatten animals to 500#. I saw a bear that weighed 328# shut off with this cartridge. The damage was incredible. The shot was just under 250yds.
The 223 cheap to shoot no recoil but very limited for game use. Some states won't allow below a 243 bullet for big game.
7mm any 7mm best in the wind but the price of admission is high for punching paper. In the field adrenaline will fix most flinches, but on a bench, shooting prone at paper can develope a flinch. Recoil is cumulative in nature. Your subconscious will try to defend itself at some point causing a flinch.

[ATH]

The 243 will do everything the .223 will do on paper while giving up nothing significant, and do about everything the 7mm will do except hit game as hard. Since you mention paper first I would certainly recommend the 243.

As most here I shoot a bigger rifle for LRH but now that I acquired a 243 I think I'll get more trigger time overall just because it's so pleasant and fun to shoot. The 243 will do fine on everything up through deer anyways.

[darrindlh]

+1 on the 243. I love my 243. right now it is a rem pump. I love shooting this rifle. 2 in groups at 400 is what mine will do. this year I am going to purchase a savage 243 bolt action rebarel it with a 28" 1-8 twist heavy benchmark barrel. I can punch papper out to 1k. Alot less recoil that my 300 win mag. Can't wait

Darrin