Whichever fits. Both rifles have enough die-hard fans to have earned their reputations.

I've gone to my gun store for 2 years now, to have them"show" me a .243 CDL that handles like a wet dream. If I didn't already have a .243, that gun would be in my safe. Hell, it may still end up in there. And that's in spite of the fact that I'd recommend the .308 out of those 2 cartridges!

And speaking of cartridges, why not split the difference & go with a 7mm-08? It's still a short-action number, & it seems to be give the most "dead for the bang" of almost any cartridge when it comes to deer.

I have a CDL in .30-'06 that handles like it's a part of me. I can't really justify buying a rifle in any other cartridge, since I don't see myself ever chasing big bears. And if I did buy another rifle, I'm pretty sure I'd just get another CDL. They fit me that well.

The claptrap above notwithstanding, if the A-bolt fits youas well as the CDL's fit me, then go get yourself an A-bolt!

FC