BH,

I've you're going to go with a .257" diameter bullet I'd go with the .25-06 - its flatter shooting and has more commercial loads available for it.  I shoot a .308 (before that a .25-06 for about 20 years) and if the Leverrevolution .308's performance is anything like the .308 Win its a hard round to beat unless you want flat shooting past 400-500 yards (7mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag, Weatherby Mags, etc).  As far as its suitability for varmints, if all you're trying to do put one away within about 300 yards it'll do great.  The pelt might not look like much, but the animal will get pegged.

Thanks for the input. 

While I like the ballistics of the 25-06, I'm considering the Roberts because I'd prefer to stay with a short action.  I'm also a big fan of the .308 Win.  Did alot of shooting with 1 as a police sniper; & killed several deer with that rifle (training of course).  That's what got my attention towards the 308 ME, it having very simular ballistics.  But I'm I little concerned about the lever action having a 24" bbl.  I haven't actually handled 1 yet but I like the "carryability" of lever guns.  But I think that length would certainly affect that.

BH,

Other than weight reduction is there any other reason you'd like to stay with the short action?  And, is it the quick second shot you like in the 308 ME?

If so, and you're concerned about a 24" barrel, have you thought about the Remington 7600?  Its a pump action rifle with a 22" barrel, and comes in .308 Win (and other) calibers.  Remingtons are hard to beat for accuracy, and these come in synthetic as well as standard models.  A friend of mine had one in .308 for a very long time and loved it.  Link here.

I can't give you a good reason for prefering the short action; I've got a long (30-06) & I guess I'm just looking for something different.  That is the only "advantage" I give to the Roberts over the 25-06.  It's just 1 of those rounds I've always wanted to own but never have.

As for the Marlin; I really like lever guns.  I prefer my Mdl 94 .32 WSP especially still hunting.  The 308 ME is suppossed to give 308 WIN performance, and we've already established how we both like that round.  I just question how the longer barrel will affect the portability of the gun. 

I've handled, but never shot, the 7600 and it would definitely fill my needs.  But I haven't been considering it.  That's all I need is another gun to either talk myself out of or justify to my wife.

I can understand your love of lever actions.  Where i grew up a lot of people used them in .300 savage, .30-30, and all other sorts of aged and modern rounds.  They were deadly in short range situations (out to 150 yards or so), and in brush or big woods hunting really they were hard to beat. 

Personally I don't think that 24" will be a problem.  If the gun feels right when you pull it up, if its well-balanced, and if its not too heavy where you can hold it on target, its been my experience that you can adapt to the peculiarities of the individual gun. 

"If the gun feels right when you pull it up, if its well-balanced, and if its not too heavy where you can hold it on target, its been my experience that you can adapt to the peculiarities of the individual gun. "  Very true, i guess what I need to do is get off my tail & fondle 1.

Thanks much for your knowledgable input.  It may still be a few months before I make a final decision, but I'll let you know.