RE: What caliber would you prefer?
I voted for the .308 'cause it's an excellent, wickedly accurate, cartridge! Besides, it kicks the snot out of my old .30-30! [8D]
I have the best of both worlds when I go hunting during firearm season....
Old Marlin .30-30 with plain iron sights: Legendary cartridge, 'nuff said. I use this ol' thing when I'm deep in the heavy brush, real thick woods, where a shot is limited to 50 yards.
Savage .308 with Bushnell 3-9x40 scope: Wickedly accurate out to 200 yards. I use this when I'm up high on a ridge overlooking an abandoned pasture, where I can reach out and drop a deer at 150-200 yards, if need be.