I would definitely go with the .270 for all the reasons stated above. It won't knock your shoulder off, it will kill all the big American game and the recoil is much easier to handle. I have made some unbelievable long distance shots with a .270 just fooling around and keep in mind it doesn't shoot rainbows like the Marlins. Most of the ammo is in the affordable range and there is many good used .270's around. The Savage accutrigger is nice but I have a Savage .270 that doesn't have that trigger and it works just fine. In fact I have two Savages in .270 and one of them is in new in the box shape and the other one in under my spare tire I think. I was saving the good one for the Apocalypse. The accuracy of a savage will surprise you because its spot on right out of the box. Just like the little girl with the three bears this round is just right.
