I will be retiring in a few months and would like to buy me a retirement present in the form of a new gun. Right now I have a 243, 270, and 30-06. I really don't need a new one, but this is a good excuse to but one. I don't really need the recoil anymore and all my shots will be under 200 yards and I do not reload. Suggestions?

Depends on you budget. Kmon on these forums would be a great person to talk to once you get a general idea. He knows quite a bit about weapons, calibers and loads.

22-250 or 25-06

.308 has my vote.

You've got the calibers covered for what you'll need-actually all of those are good for longer ranges if need be. Maybe you would be better to buy a rifle in one of those calibers and focus on characteristics you like. If you like fancy wood and scrollwork, super light rifles, etc.

If you want something completely different, buy an AR15 in 6.8 and kill everything you want in the ranges you stated.. I haven't been able to put mine down since I went that way!

You already have a 243 which will cover your light recoil to 200 yards easily.

I would get a 223 or 22-250. Im partial to the 223.

.308 I got one this past season and killed 2 deer with it and I am really pleased with it.

Make it special...order something from here.

http://www.shilohrifle.com/

http://www.shilohrifle.com/rifles.php

Shots at what?

I'd buy a nice .22LR or .22 Mag for plinking and playing. You'll use it much more than the rest, most likely.

It seems to me you have your bases covered good. A 308, 25-06 is pretty similar to what you already have. I personally would go with something completely different. A Henry golden boy 22 lr or a lever action in a pistol caliber such as 44 mag. If you don't own a lever action you will prob love them. Much different to shoot than bolt actions. As suggested if you like the AR platform, you could go that route. Me personally I don't care for ugly rifles so I prefer lever actions myself.

http://henryrifles.com/henry-rifles.cfm

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/

I wouldn't mind one of these myself. I have the 86 which is the big brother of the 92

http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?family=022C&mid=534177

x2.. both are needed in a collection.

.223 since you're very well covered on up to the '06.

I'd have a good 1 in 8" twist barrel screwed on by a good 'smith to whatever brand rifle you like best & enjoy the light recoil of this round. Ammo is a bit tough right now, but that'll pass, again.

25-06 no question

I reload a 25-06 Sendero Stainless Fluted w/ a 4X14 Zeiss Conquest scope for a buddy of mine who used to have a lot of trouble w/shots from about 80 yds on. He sent me pictures of Coyotes and Deer all season long..he killed 10 dogs and the last was over 450 yds..He is very recoil sensitive, tends to be a knob
twister and overthinks..so this is a real improvement in his shooting from 3-4 yrs back...Trigger time helped too..I load 100 grain Barnes TSX and TTSX w/ 55.5 grain of RL 22 w/ Fed GM Match
LR primers...he gets dime groups outside to outside..No recoil..I had him shoot my TRG 308 this past wk...and he pulled a
couple of shots..and the rifle doesn't kick wgts about 12 lbs..DD

If you are interested in fun shooting at low cost you can't get any cheaper than 22LR. 550 rounds for under $30. My favorite would be the Henry lever action. If your into AR shooting they come in 22LR as well. To double the fun buy you a 22LR pistol in revolver or semi-auto to go along with it. Congrats on your coming retirment.

7mm08

I think it would take you at least 2 planes to get to a place where you couldn't kill anything walking under 200 yrds with what you have. But I understand that is not the point. With the .243, light recoil deer rifle is cover about as well as it could be, If you have access and opportunity to use it I would recommend the Valquartsen .17hmr. Very accurate, fun to shoot, 0 recoil and great truck gun for everything from coons to coyotes. Just my $.02.

25-06 here

25-06 or .308

I agree with these two calibers in the collection. If you want to try something a little different go with a muzzleloader.

I had a small sideline firearms business for 25 years and have reloaded for somewhere around 50 years. Your way of thinking needs to be tuned up a bit. You should consider about 2 new guns a year since you are retiring and will have quality time to play with them. I've been retired since 2004 and the last long gun I got was a Kimber Caprivi in 375 H&H. Didn't need it, just wanted it. Had a Vais muzzle brake installed and sometimes shoot two boxes through it at a time off the bench with no problems. The BIG calibers are a blast to shoot and I now shoot them more than the mids or smalls. Go for it!!!

I would buy a classic Winchester 94 in 30-30. Now thats what everybody needs in their collection

223 in an AR platform!!

22-250 or 223