Agree, with everyone touting, the .243 Win., as lots of Ammo available, EVERYWHERE !
Then, as stated by snox (post #3) you can go to .243 Ack or better yet, the 6mm SLR.
That's what I'm gonna do, 6mm SLR, a WINNER and what, the .243 Win., SHOULD have been! But heck, the .243 has been "Golden" since, 1955 ! What, a sweet track record ! Can't wait, for some Factory to standardize the 6 SLR, til' then, I'll make them !
PS; the 6mm SLR will get 2X, the barrel life with, the "right" Powders/ cleaning regimen !
PSS: the HOT, barrel burning, 4350's are NOT necessary, in the 6 mmSLR to get,.. super performance. Skip the Ackley version and go to the SLR "later" as, the 6 Creed, is still a bit of, a "Barrel Burner". Go to 6mmAR.com, to look at/ learn about, it !