If you're only hunting deer size game one of the 243 or 6mm calibers will do just fine, although I like the 6.5 better. There isn't much more recoil, but the 6.5 does a lot more.
Not sure what this means. Are you saying 1/2 to 3/4 of full power loads? If so that probably isn't a good idea. Most starting loads are 90% or more of max and it isn't a good idea to go below starting load data.
If light 25-06 loads are too much then 243 or 6.5 Creedmoor won't make much difference. Typical 243 recoil is in the 11 ft lb range, 6.5 Creedmoor will be about 12 ft lbs. A 25-06 with milder loads is about 12 ft lbs and about 14 ft lbs with full power loads. Until you start seeing 5 ft lbs difference in recoil most people can't tell the difference.
If you're really concerned about recoil consider a 223 for shooting at the range and use the 25-06 for hunting. Now you're talking about 5 ft lbs recoil. At that point shooting a lot at the range is not only more enjoyable, but cheaper as well. I can buy very good match ammo for 25 cents per round. Cheaper FMJ for under 20 cents per round. Good quality match ammo for 243 or 6.5 will run 75 cents to over $1 per round. They don't make good match ammo for 25-06.
If you truly only want 1 rifle the 6.5 Creed would be my choice. Recoil is close enough to 243, but down range it really performs. To be honest recoil just isn't that much less than your 25-06. But it is a far better round in every way.
Uhhh, please link me to 25 cent match ammo for .223 please!
Russellc
