Well it seems everyone is just about as split as I am... while I don't think anyone is debating that both the 6.5 and the 243 are excellent rounds, I suppose I can refine my question as to, do you think that the 6.5 would be comfortable enough to shoot all day? I don't want a round that I am going to be flinching at because of the recoil (as I often do with a 30-06). How much more recoil does the 6.5 have over the .243?
Also, while loudness does not mean that much, it is nice to shoot a quieter gun, avoiding waking up the next town over if I am on my own property
While the price of the ammo should be taken in consideration, I would not fret over $10 extra per box, as I don't shoot as much as I would like to at this point and I am also thinking of reloading sometime in the future.
Thanks for all your excellent responses.