Wow.....hadn't seen this thread in a couple days ...it has gone crazy
Of the OP's original 3 options the .243, 25-06, and the .270 were metioned ; and he intended trying the cover several bases. (varmit all the way up to bigger game)
Since I believe that no
one rifle is
perfect for all those conditions
....... a little compromise can go a long way.
Some time back I found my self looking for such a rifle and a 25-06 was what I bought. It covers a good many bases very well.
Is it a Moose gun ?....... Probably not ?
Is it a Squirrel gun ?......
Only if you want it to rain squirrel parts
It is however deadly on Whitetails. A
well placed 117gr Nosler or Sierra GameKing will drop them where they were shot.
An 85 gr Winchester Silvertip leaving the barrel at 3470 fps ( Winchester's specs I dont have my own chrono) will splash Groundhogs and Yotes
These loads are not hard to find either. Mine likes Hornady custom with 117 Noslers and Federal Vital Shock with 117 gr GameKings.
You can even pick up 25-06 in Remington and Winchester at both of my local Wallyworlds.
Federal also offers their Vital Shock in a Barnes 100gr TSX.
I've never shot it, but I have heard from friends that that is one wicked little bullet.
If you can try to shoot all three .243 , 25-06, and .270 . You will find them all to be very good and versatile cartridges. Hopefully shooting each of them will help you decide which is best suited to you.
I like all three, but I think the 25-06 covers "one gun to cover multiple situations" label very well. I went 40 years without one . I wont do that again.
I hope you enjoy whatever rifle you choose,......Tentwing