If no decision ... here's my vote. And this is part personal preference and part field performance. I am a huge fan of the 308 Win. Factory ammo abounds. It is a hand loader's dream as far as options. Every rifle that I have owned in 308 Win. and every rifle in 308 Win. that have helped folks set-up have "loved" bullets in the 165 - 168 gr. weight range.

I hunt white tails, feral hogs and mule deer. I have made clean, quick kills at what I consider long shots on both mule deer and white tails .... in the range of 375-400 yards. Had a great rest mind you and very little cross wind to contend with. Also dropped a coyote at I am guessing about 450-500. Took me 2 shots ... correcting on the second tom make the kill. As far as which manufacturer? That is a persoanal choice for you. Go with what feels food. There are so many very good to excellent factory rifles being made these days that you can hardly go bad wrong. And practically every one is at worst "affordable".

My No.1 hunting rifle is the Styer Mountain that I mentioned previously. Lord only knows how many deer I ahve kiled with it. Well over 200 I suppose. It shoots lights out. A good buddy of mine has a Browning A-Bolt that is a great shooter too. Anotehr has a Ruger Mk II 77 that is a great shooter.

As far as stainless or blued ? Keep it clean and doesn't matter much. Don't get the idea that stainless will not stain, corrode or pit. It will, just not as readily as blued. If you do a lot of foul weather hunting or hunt near a salt water coast line, I'd go with the stainless and a synthetic stock.