Short action caliber

Either 6x47 or 6.5x47 Lapua would be my choice. I won both and can't pick a favorite. 38-40gr of powder will push a high bc bullet into the 2800-3000fps range, recoil is nil, haven't found a bullet they won't shoot, has Lapua brass that is always available despite it lasting forever,
 
Easy button is 6.5creed since you've already got components.
2nd easy button is 6creed, factory ammo in a pinch and with 8lb rifle near zero recoil. No need for a break, my preference is short and quick handling but I don't shoot matches or like packing a heavy rifle anymore.
I'm a 243win 95gr fanatic but match grade 6creed ammo and components are everywhere now. The 103-115gr 6mm punch way above their weight class, 1/7.5 is spec twist should sling any pill you want.
 
Here is my experience and my opinion.

6 Creedmoor. I have one pushing a 105 Hyb @ 3188fps. It is nicknamed "Mr. Confidence" for a reason. Great speed, flat, and stupid accurate. Light recoil and decent BC. But it starts to peter out for energy at 700-800ish for deer-sized game. While that is plenty for most circumstances, a shot at Coues can easily be that far.

25 Creedmoor. I built one heavy (15#) to shoot steel, pushes a 135 Berger at 2935fps easily. Liked it so much right away, I built a second much lighter one for a hunting rifle. That one is pushing a 133 Elite @ 2936fps. (Screw 131 Blackjacks by the way). Good speed, pretty flat, and stupid accurate. Better BC than the 6mm heavies, and carry more energy downrange by quite a bit, and still light recoiling. Makes it more of a 1k+ deer round.

6.5mm. I think the 6.5 Creedmoor is a little lacking for anything over the 140gr. My opinion. And if you go with a 130 to get speeds up, the 25 133 outpaces it with much higher BCs. If you don't need headstamps to mach the barrel engraving, I would go .260AI. I have one that runs a 140 Hyb @ 2938fps. Add the extra mass, and they carry some good energy on game out to 1k. I also have a good load pushing a 130 OTM @ 3060fps. It is actually my hunting load. Min velocity and energy matches the 140 Hyb out to 1k+, but is a bit flatter shooting due to the additional fps. Recoil is still very manageable.
 
While people like to mock the 6.5 CM, me included, it is a very good gun for deer sized game and can send em a long ways. It's just how the supporters got with it. But it doesn't take away from the fact that it's a good cartridge. For a short action, that's probably what I would have to go with.
 
I love 6mm cartridge's for hunting deer sized game. I also like 6mm projectiles because they have decent BCs to practice to longer ranges for less cost. For hunting, I like to keep the 105 grain plus bullets going at least 2900 fps. You can make up some of that velocity with a longer barrel in the smaller BR cases. I enjoy shooting the dasher over the .243. If I were to shoot the mono bullets, they are better suited for the bigger cases like the .243, 243AI etc.
 
Look at the 6mm ARC. It can be had in a semiautomatic or bolt rifle. It's a 1200 yd rifle, great ballistics, low recoil, long barrel life, super accurate and easy to reload. A Savage 110 Tactical with target barrel, light trigger, 10-round magazine, adjustable target aluminum bedded stock can be had for $600. I am getting 0.15-0.3 inch groups at 100yds right out of the box using Hornady 103, 105 and 108gr ammo. Try it on the cheap to see if you like the cartridge. I can't imagine a better deal than this rifle especially when you're unsure of what to buy. 6.5x47 = $3.44 per round, 6mmARC = $1.60 per round from Midway.
 
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Look at the 6mm ARC. It can be had in a semiautomatic or bolt rifle. It's a 1200 yd rifle, great ballistics, low recoil, long barrel life, super accurate and easy to reload. A Savage 110 Tactical with target barrel, light trigger, 10-round magazine, adjustable target aluminum bedded stock can be had for $600. I am getting 0.15-0.3 inch groups at 100yds right out of the box using Hornady 103, 105 and 108gr ammo. Try it on the cheap to see if you like the cartridge. I can't imagine a better deal than this rifle especially when you're unsure of what to buy. 6.5x47 = $3.44 per round, 6mmARC = $1.60 per round from Midway.
1200 for steel, sure, on a good day.
But definitely not 1200 for Coues Deer.
6ARC is built off the 6.5 Grendel case. Not enough HP for deer at 1200. I wouldn't even shoot my 6CM at 1200 on a deer.
L-R:
.243 Win, 6CM, 6x47L, 6GT, 6ARC
20230802_171341.jpg
 
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1200 for steel, sure, on a good day.
But definitely not 1200 for Coues Deer.
6ARC is built off the 6.5 Grendel case. Not enough HP for deer at 1200. I wouldn't even shoot my 6CM at 1200 on a deer.
L-R:
.243 Win, 6CM, 6x47L, 6GT, 6ARC
View attachment 482997
Agreed. I've never shot an animal over about 500yds except maybe prairie dogs. I like your brass .picture.
 

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