I am wanting to get another gun, just don't know what. I want it to be a dual use. I live in a state which you can't hunt deer with anything below .243. I am also want to hunt varments with it. I have a 30-06 but a little more then what I need for one of the areas I hunt. so .243 or higher, any ideas?

.25-06, .257 Roberts, 6mm, or .260.

For a dual purpose gun for deer and varmints. You can't go wrong with a 243win. I have shot plenty of big muledeer with a 243win. With the 6mm cal. bullets will do better in the wind as a 22cal. cartridge would when using for varmints.

Hard to beat that 25-06 for a truly dual purpose rifle.

+1

Hard to beat a .243 for a truly dual purpose rifle.

Another vote for the .25-06.

+1

25-06.

If you already have a .30-06, you're covered for any big game in N. America, although one might want a bit more "insurance" on brown bears.

I live in a state where the minimum is also the .243. In-between it and the .30-06 are quite a few great calibers, among them: .25-06, .257 Roberts, .260 Rem, 7mm-08 Rem, .270 Win, .280 Rem, and the .308 Win, as well as a smattering of 7mm Magnums. None will do you a whole lot better on the large end (moose, caribou, etc.) than will your .30-06. On the other hand, a good number won't do you a whole lot less on the small end (deer, varmints, furbearers), than will your .30-06.

My experience has been with the .243 Win, which has proven itself more than adequate on deer and antelope, and with proper bullet selection, not overly destructive on coyotes and bobcats, and perfect for prairie dogs. I would expect the 6mm Remington to be similarly versatile.

Really, unless you drop down to a shorter case length and caliber(7mm-08, .260, or .243), you haven't really left the class your .30-06 is currently in. And, of those three cartridges remaining, my choice would be the .243 hands-down.