Hi bowhuntermn,

Another cartridge to consider to add to your confusion...the .260 Remington. It is an extremely balanced cartridge, recoil is only a fraction more the .243 Win., and it comes in factory loads as heavy as 140 grains. (Can be handloaded even heavier.) And like the .243 Win. and the 7mm-08 it is a true short action cartridge. Is available in many nice rifles.

Good luck with your decision!