Filling the gap between 223 and 30-06

[FLAK]

.243, .25-06, .257, 6mm Rem, .260, 7-08, 7x57,

 

[Rich M]

What bolt action would you chose to fill the gap between 223 and 30-06? Looking for something low recoil that kids/women won't mind hunting and plinking with.

It really boils down to 243 or 6.5CM. I have experience with both. 7mm-08 is nice, too. 6mm CM might be interesting. Probably prefer short action. Already have the lever actions taken care of.

I'm having fun with a 243 - going thru the motions for working up several loads and all that. Shot a 300# mulie in 2019 w 243 - not going back to 30-06 unless I go for elk, then will shoot 165 nosler partitions out of 30-06.