The rounds you mention were considered better in the second round of deliberations over the .243, yet the dependence on .223 is pretty heavy, but the specialty teams almost always use a different round. .308 for longer shots and recently some other rounds that anyone who follows sniper use would recognize. .243 still is one of the most effective light rounds for the hunting rifle. In his book titled the Hunting Rifle Jack O'Connor stated that both the .243 and .244 (6mm) were very useful rounds but he would himself take a .257 Roberts, or the round that he titled " Big Punch in a Small Case" the 7x 57. The situation now though is the .243 is easier to get anywhere. The .257 Roberts is a round though that has made a amazing comeback. In fact I will be looking a a Select Kimber 84M in .257 but will once again probably leave the store with the .243.
