Trebark,
I have both the .243 and the .308, I have killed deer with both, ranging from 60-150 yards. If you let 200 guys give you advise, you'll get too many opinions to count. Try to find someone who will let you shoot those two cartridges. Then you can form your own opinions. Who knows, you might endup hating one of the rifles for some reason.

I like them both, but the last few time that I went out, I grabbed the .243, I just have confidence with it. It hasn't failed me yet. If you're recoil shy, by all means go with the .243. You can always use the .243 as a varmint rifle also, especially if you handload, you can put a 55 grain bullet in it.