Have you considered a 25/06, I live in the mountains of Pa with considerable farm land around, I an sit on my back deck and see almost every game animal Pa has to offer, I have taken ground hogs, coyotes out to 300 yards with my 06, It is a fast round, but I do have a 26" bull barrel, have taken many deer at all ranges with it. Bought the wifey a Bolt action savage 243 last year, so far I like it, I also have a 7mm/08 which is a nice shooter also It has the accu trigger Nice wood stock, all around nice gun. I think all the calibers who have selected will do the trick, The 7mm and the 243 really is just a 308 necked down. Just my $.02 for what its worth