IMHO I think your "lean" towards a .243/7x57 is in the right direction. Both are very versatile especially if you load your own, however both will blow things up to some extent especially in the lower bullet wght. loadings, very difficult to get around that aspect of your choices. If however risk of a richochet is not of geat concern you can use the 105 grainer in the 243 to you get around the hamburger issue somewhat. Not to belittle any of the calibres suggested but when recoil is an issue the lighter the better. You should also throw availability of not only ammo. but also reloading components into the mix and in both of your choices I don't think you would have a problem. BTW welcome.--- John303