Was in the market for the same thing, a .243......lightweight, not sure what market you're in ....but all I could come between was...

a weatherby ultralightweight in .243, 24" barrel, 5.75lbs, its a sweet swetup, fluted stainless black barrel. its what I chose....

otherse I considered were a Kimber montana I think it was, lightweight as well, synthetic....22" barrel, didnt care too much for the looks,

also considered an HS precision etc...etc....

I figured why spend more than the weatherby in a .243 ie its the cheapest of the nice ones I sought....may want to take a look at it......Mark V weatherby ultralightweight in .243 win!