RE: .243 for preditors?
I bought a .243 this summer for the exact reason you stated- it's a great varmint gun, yet you can still use it on big game if you wish (in Wyoming). I've already shot a pile of prairie dogs (farthest was about 500 yards), an antelope, and I let my brother use it too shoot an antelope as well. I'll use it again next month when I fill all of my whitetail doe tags. Recoil is very minimal, and the winchester 80 grain soft points I shoot ($15 a box) work like a charm. In short, I've been very pleased with my choice to buy a .243. I don't think you'll be disappointed.