OK, so after about a week to think and research various things (as well as a name-change... FreedomFreak was chosen when I was a teenager and annoyed me every time I saw it.), I'm trying to decide between these:
.243 Win
6.5x55 Swiss
7mm-08
.270 Win
.308 Win
.30-06 Spr
The last round of cuts made me a little sad. I LOVE the Enfield No. 4s, mostly for the sights; however, the .303 just doesn't seem to hold up with factory loads. I was also intrigued by the K31, but the ammo is a little pricier and harder to find and the straight pull bolt was probably just a little different for me. Lastly, I'd really come to like the .25-06; but it's price and low availability led me to drop it.
As of right now, I don't have a good mid-range/long-range hunting or target rifle. I had a Savage 10 in .308, but sold it because I wasn't hunting or doing mid/long range target shooting. I used that money to buy another carry piece. I have a couple battle rifles, but don't want to put any glass on them, which makes mid/long range target work not quite as fun. I also have a short-range hunting rifle, a Marlin 1894 .44mag that I'm confident with to 150 yards on paper, 100 on deer.
So, my next purchase will probably be a rifle in one of the above rounds.
I like the .308 in that I already have a .308 (PTR-91) and that it's cheap. I like the versatility of the .30-06--120gr or 220gr fairly widely available. I like the trajectory of the .270, the surprisingly great capabilities of the 7mm-08 (seems like the ultimate underdog. LOL), the 6.5 because I like the Swedish Mausers, and the .243 because I know my kids would be able to shoot it without as many issues. All of them are capable of taking deer-sized game past 300y, which I probably wouldn't ever attempt anyways, but also would be good for targets to 600y and beyond.
Just thought I'd update a bit.