duckdog, for the animals you mentioned there are a lot of chamberings you can get from the .243 on up. Also, you didn't mention if you reloaded or not. you can get more versitility out of a cartridge if you do, and can customize your ammo to suit your needs.
The 270 is my all time favorite cartridge but it is a bit much for prarie dogs and coyotes. And, (boy I know I'm gonna get flack on this), I don't care for the .308. I had two of them and they just didn't appeal to me. But I guess I'm entitled to my own opinion and leave it at that.
The Savage is a good reliable rifle. The model 16 or 11 would be my choice for the short action or the 116 or 111 for something in a longer action. If funds arent an issue, I would get a 11F in 22-250 for prarie dogs and coyote and other varmints andanotherin 300wsm (or a 111F in 30-06 or 270). JMO