I used a .243 as my main rifle for several yrs both as a varment rifle and fro white tail. It is a great little rifle for both I used 100gr bullets for everthing and took many deer out 275yd cleanly remember shot placement and being able to hit your target is the key with any round. As far as a brush gun no round is truly made to shoot through limbs and brush. The test have been done and any round will deflect when it hits something and when guys talk about how great there gun bust brush it usually mean they have been very lucky when taking a risky shot. The savage is a great gun for the money My .243's were both a remington model 7 and a Ruger 77 (which is now in my uncles gun cabnet for his daughter]. But you might also consider a Marlin 1895 in 45-70 for a fast handling thick stuff gun.

3DNWV