RE: 257 vs 243
I reallydon't care how many different loads are available for a cartridge, just as long as there was a decent one for what i was hunting...
I'd pick the 257 Roberts every time, as it gives a bit more leedway on marginal shots, and if the owner ever wants to move up to a little bigger animial, he already has the gun for the job!
There's no problem at all getting ammo for the 257...
DM