I have a heavy barrel varmint rifle in .223 and standard rifles in 25-06 and 30-06. I would like to add to my collection a short action lightweight rifle in .243 or 260….which one would make more sense in my battery ?

Seems like you have the bases covered so you're simply looking to lighten you're load. What do you mean by light weight?

Definitions vary. For example I think a 7lb rifle is light. Some guys are looking to shave a lb off that. So if you were looking to get into the 6lb range it may start to really depend. Recoil could be an issue.

Tom

By light I mean 7lb + scope (with synthetic stock).…my standard rifles weigh 8 lb. + scope and have wooden stock.

Do you reload? If not the 260 is limiting OTC. Just some food for thought but have you considered a 7mm 08. Another possibility if you want SA and don't mind the thought of WSM and little more recoil in a light rig - 270wsm? Either would give you a little seperation from what you have already & can be found in lighter frames.

With a .223 and 2506 in your cabinet the .243 seem redundant to me! I like a little more spacing, that's all.

I also think a .270 cal. ot 7mm may work out well for you. Good luck.

of the 243 and 260 I would go with the 243... But a 7mm08 in a Model 7 would fit nicely in there also.

7-08 Tikka T-3. Mine is around 6.4 lbs. with a nikon 2x7 monarch and talley's.

I really like the idea of a Tikka T-3 laminated stainless in 7mm-08. Still light and handy and much nicer stock than the plastic one which I don’t like, feels to cheap for my taste ! My buddy has one in 7mm-08 and its incredibly accurate…

you've already got bolt guns - get a Marlin 336!

Any cartridge that you purchase below a 30-06 is only going to be duplicating the performance of what you already have but in a slightly different package.

So, assuming that you aren't really looking for some performance advantage from the cartridge itself but rather just want a light weight rifle. I would look at the Remington model seven, Winchester model 70 feather weightor ultimate shadow, Tikka T3, Browning X-bolt, etc...