A higher SD is not alawys a plus. You can get a SD that is to high for the intended game and get lack of expansion. For deer I like a SD od 200- 230 about the best. You do also have to look at bullet construction as well but based just on SD I like the little bit lower SD and a guide line. If I was to use a 243 again I would opt for the 85-95 grain bullets from Sierra and Nosler.

You are correct about the 300 Savage, it came out as a caliber to out do the 30-30 from Winchester and to match the 30-06. It beat the heck out of the 30-30 but fell short of the 30-06. However just like the 308, its about as perfect for deer as it gets. I may break out the 700 Rem Classic in 300 Savage for this years deer season.Or maybe the A-Bolt 308.