Originally Posted by
8mm/06
Either of those rifles will serve you well, and though I'm a pretty big fan of the .243, for your first rifle I'd push you towards the .308.
The .308 has plenty of ammo choices on shelves in most areas, and has a little more capability when you wish to move up to deer that are larger, or game larger than deer.
I don't know as much about the Marlin as the Savage, and can tell you I'm a Savage fan becasue of the simplicity of the design and it's record of smooth operation in all conditions.
I've heard mostly great things about the Marlin, but as it is a newcomer we don't have much long term info yet.
So, in a nutshell, I'd lean towards a USED Savage 308 and put any money you save by going used into a good scope.
I forgot that you metioned that you'd be doing both deer hunting and some small game varmint with the same rifle.
Since that is your plan there really isn't much of a better choice than the .243. I have one that spits 75 grain pills very accurately as well as the 100 grainers I handload. I took my biggest deer ever with my .243.
Dual purpose the .243 gets the nod between the 2 you mentioned, but there are many more choices that may not have accessible ammo choice. 25/06 is a great chjoice too, 257u, 6.5 X 55, 260, 7mm/08, .... But i'd go with the .243.