This is a huge decision. I remember the last time I went through this exercise myself. It was right after Spring Gobbler 09. I really focused on the calibers you mentioned for the most part. I have a Remington Model 7400 .243 my dad bought for me brand new in 1982, I killed my first deer with it. Since that summer I have killed a pile of deer and hogs with that rifle. After much testing, I have found that it really likes the Federal Premium 85gr Barnes TSX. I handed it down to my youngest son, he is 11, he shoots it better than I do. After weighing my options I stayed with the .243. I just could not come up with a good reason to get anything "more or better". I ended up getting a Remington Model 700 VLS, it is a tack driver. It fits my needs perfectly. I hunt out of tree stands, shooting houses and occasionally a ground blind.
You mentioned Savage and I think they make awesome rifles and would be an excellent choice. For the money, you cannot get more accuracy out of the box. Good luck on your decision. You already have excellent glass to top it with. Any one of the calibers you mentioned would be great, any one of them will flatten any deer or hog that walks this earth if you place the bullet correctly. I cant wait till you get so we can find what it likes.
I have a Savage 270 with the accutrigger that is a true tack driver right out of the box. I bought my son the Savage 243 and it is just as reliable. Now I am not any kind of gun nut but can't imagine needing anymore than these 2 guns in Florida. You could spend more but do you have to? Good glass and some range time is where to put the money IMO.
This is where the discussion and your decision gets interesting. One of our members brought up the word "need". We "gun nuts" consider need to be three guns only. 1. a 12 gauge pump shotgun with a rifled barrel and a screw in choke barrel; 2. a .45 cal semi auto pistol; and a .308 or 30-06 bolt action rifle. These three weapons can cover every single base of shooting from competitive shooting, target shooting, hunting anything that moves, and protecting ourselves, even concealed carry, nation wide. They are the only weapons you will ever need. None of us need more than these three weapons.
If it were about need we wouldn't be having this discussion. We'd all have three guns and that would be it. We shoot, collect firearms, and hunt for the sport and comradiary, environmental management, trophy and meat, the chase, the competition, the game, and to just plain relax in the outdoors.
It's about what weapon performs the best for you under your circumstances and conditions, what you can competently and comfortably shoot, and what your wallet can handle weapons and optics wise. Some guys love Corvettes, others love Boats, others love fishing and have 27 rods and 21 reels. Gun people love guns and shooting them competently and comfortably at whatever we are aiming at and it has nothing to do with "need".
Look at your circumstances and conditions and decide what will work for you.
my gunsmithing buddy swears by savage. says they are one of the few that still make their own barrels, and with some minor work on bedding trigger and stock will have a real champ, and like Gecko says put that extra money towards good glass.
I need a few more seeing how I have three boys who are nuts about hunting. I let my seven year old shoot about 10 rounds from his older brothers .243 handi rifle yesterday and now he's hooked. Still a bit small but he'll grow into it by next hunting season. Now my 14 year old is gonna need a new deer rifle so he may just get lucky and get one this summer for his B-day. That leaves me needing another for the other seven yr old twin who also wants a gun. And I'm still looking for a new one for me that I desperatly need.
