458: Not sure it was the short action that was the appeal. At least not at first. The 1st and most popular rifle for the 243 was the M70 FWT, which was built on a 30-06 length action.
Yeah.....as usual southtexas is right....short actions were sort of a big "so what?" back then... (IMO they still are).....but riflemen are impulsive and always running around looking for a better mousetrap.To rifle nuts, "new" is "better",even if it isn't...and in this case,it definately "wasn't". The 243 is OK but what advantage it has over the 257 Roberts just escapes me.
Kinda like the hoopla surrounding the 338 and its' superiority over the 375H&H....urban myth...mostly
Sort of funny,but guys run around,teeth chattering,scared out of their wits over "pressure excursions" in the 7RM,but the 243 is noted for the same thing....yet it gets a free pass.....what's up with that?
I'm with Brad;gimme a Roberts,short or long I don't care.
