All around gun

[HighlandLofts]

Depending on distance you plan on shooting, for shorter shots the 243 is a fine gun. For larger game and longer ranges I'd go with 26-06. Both are FINE CALIBERS, I have both.
As far as the cost of the ammunition goes, for the little bit you will be shooting this rifle the cost of ammunition is irrelevant. $10 a box, maybe $20 a box difference on one or two boxes a year you shot is nothing compared to the other cost of going on a hunt that you really enjoy.

25-06 I recommend the Ruger model 77 with a good scope, Great gun.

[quackkiller]

Wow thanks for all of the input guys!!! I think I may go 243 because of recoil and diversity in loads... Could they be a 600yd gun? For me for coyotes? Also has anyone shot or know of the new mossberg patriot? They have one for 499 with a vortex crossfire 2 4-9x40. Looks like a sweet little gun...?

[jackmaster]

My daughter who is a tiny thing shoots a 7mm-08 and its a tack  driver and you can get good solids for it for predators, great gun

[b23]

And the 260 rem would be a contender too

X2, the 260 Remmy is a great all around choice but I'm a bigger fan of the 6.5x55 Swede.  Tikka makes a pretty sweet shooting 6.5x55 Swede and for something that'll shoot a little faster and flatter the 6.5x284 is never a bad choice.

[Woodchuck]

I have been a "big-bore" guy for most of my life. That said, I picked up a 25-06 last summer because the cartridge always intrigued me. I love that rifle and chambering, it is quickly becoming my go to. 

[300rum]

Either one, it isn't going to make that big of difference.  But, with the ammo shortages that we have had over the years, I would lean towards the .243 or even .308. 

[theleo]

For a deer round I love my 243 and if you are a hand loader, you should be able to stretch out to 600 yards without to much hassle. Some of the bullets they use in the 243 for long distance stuff may not stabilize out of a factory barrel though. The 243 has never really been used by the masses for bullets heavier than 100 grains, so if you go with a factory rifle keep that in mind.

For rock chucks and coyotes I love my 22-250. while the 243 has extremely mild recoil the 22-250 has next to non. The only way I notice recoil with mine (Remington 700 VLS) is that with the scope cranked all the way up I don't get to see the splat. It gives me pretty decent "Hammer of Thor" type performance on coyotes out to about 300 yards with my 55 grain V-MAX loads. On chucks and squirrels the 22-250 really causes the fur to fly.

I have both and love both, but they get used for different applications. The 22-250 doesn't shine as a deer round like the 243 loaded with 90-100 grain bullets does, but the 243 doesn't shine like the 22-250 does with 55 grain bullets and lighter do for varmints. A 55 grain .243 bullet of the same design as a 55 grain .224 has a lower BC than the .224 bullet, the 243 does not magically get to ignore this basic fact. 

[Reidus]

A 55 grain .243 bullet of the same design as a 55 grain .224 has a lower BC than the .224 bullet, the 243 does not magically get to ignore this basic fact.

In the case of the nosler ballistic tip the 55gr 243 has a better BC due to the jacket thickness. You can also get more velocity out of the 243 because of the larger diameter.

[theleo]

A 55 grain .243 bullet of the same design as a 55 grain .224 has a lower BC than the .224 bullet, the 243 does not magically get to ignore this basic fact.

In the case of the nosler ballistic tip the 55gr 243 has a better BC due to the jacket thickness. You can also get more velocity out of the 243 because of the larger diameter.

The .243 emphasizes the boat tail more in the BT's. Saying a 55gr .243, as a rule, has a higher BC than a .224 is entirely wrong. Look up V-maxs and the situation is not the same as your BT example. As an example compare a 168 gr .308 SMK vs a .284 160 gr SMK.

You are correct about pushing it faster out of the 243 but your idea of a shorter fatter bullet of the same weight having a higher BC of a longer skinnier one doesn't hold water.

[Reidus]

Was just stating the case of the nosler BT since it is counter-intuitive to fact that almost always the bullet with the larger diameter of same design and weight will have a lower BC like you stated. Can't say I've seen another instance of this.

[ArcherTL]

.25-06 , 6.5x55, 7mm-08, 257 Robert's, and 243 are all very good light recoiling general purpose calibers.

[quackkiller]

Thanks for everything guys! Making it a hard decision tho!! Don't know if I should invest in a flatter gun or a more diverse one... Hard choice!

[birddogdad]

I have been a "big-bore" guy for most of my life. That said, I picked up a 25-06 last summer because the cartridge always intrigued me. I love that rifle and chambering, it is quickly becoming my go to. 

ahh woodchuck, a man after my heart! I too love my big bores, tough to have just one "go too" gun though. A "go too" gun for the particular application more suits me I think. to OP, be mindful of minimum caliber restrictions for an "all" applications weapon based on available game in North America for example.

[theleo]

Thanks for everything guys! Making it a hard decision tho!! Don't know if I should invest in a flatter gun or a more diverse one... Hard choice!

Live without regrets, buy both!

[Bigshooter]

I think the most important thing for female shooters is finding a gun that fits them.  Then worry about calibers.