FWIW on this "ammo availability" thing.....
Do people buy a box of A ammo from B store, then next week try C ammo from D store, and come hunting season buy X ammo from Z store?
C'mon.
They will try a couple, and go with what shoots best.
If not available local, have it ordered by a real gunshop or heaven forbid.............buy it online.
The "availability" argument is silly.
The .243 vs .25-06 deal..............
If one wants to shoot varmints more than deer, .243.
If you want to shoot deer more than varmints, .25-06.
Both will do double duty.
Just depends on what rifle you want IMHO.
Having owned an Axis in .243...............that shot great after a few mods............
I sold it and went back to a 700ADL synth.
In .243 win.
It is my chuck/yote gun (mostly yote since no chucks around anymore).
Shot a deer w .243 win (Ruger #1 RSI) and was not impressed w that bullet.
Shot great but whistled through.
Bought diff ammo, also shot good...........but never saw a critter big enough to test it on.
IMHO the Savage Axis sucks for short cartridges, because it still is a long action.
If you like a long action, so be it.
But if going that route I'd pick a long action cartridge.
Actually prefer short actions, so would go .243 win in 700.
Shot a 700 stainless BDL in .25-06 yrs ago, 85 gr varmint loads. Was more bounce but comfy.
Nice rifle.
If I was to hunt out west, stretch out the shooting............def go .25-06.
Buddy had a Browning that smoked a few deer/pronghorn.
This before new bullet tech.
It was wicked good then, should only be better nowadays.
Want a .25-06 but hate long actions?
Ruger #1 might be doable
A stainless Savage 110 style in .25-06 might be a great all arounder.......but they are thick through the middle.
I rather like the feel of a reg boring ol 700.
A stainless BDL like the one my coworker has..................nice rig.
And I'd buy one.
Older model.
But man the price on them has gone up.
Did look for a Steyr Pro Hunter in .25-06. Really did.
Sold out.