[Prorebel]

I've recently decided to go white tail hunting in northeastern Pennsylvania this season but do not own a rifle. I'm wondering which caliber and which brand would be the absolute best for my region and budget. (also in need of a scope)

[BRAD313]

30-06 Ruger American like 299 -350 gives u about 200 for scope. Or go a marlin 30-30 lever action scoped for like 399 at dunhams put them on sale this week both would be a good deer gun at a good price the other in the pick is a remington never shot one so not sure about them

[SSGN_Doc]

What type of woods? How close are your shots likely to be?

A tight woods gun might be served well with a Marlin 336 in .30-30 or .35 Remington, where shots are likely to be less than 150 yards and more likely to be inside of 100 yds.

A rifle for taking open field shots out to 200 yds and beyond, A .30-06, .270 or 7mm should be fine. Savage, Tikka, or used rifles like Winchester model 70 or Remington model 700 would be good choices. The Savage 110 can often be found used, with a scope well inside your budget, and they are surprisingly accurate for what they cost.

[Prorebel]

I'm not really sure what to expect more than likely dense forest I've spent most of my time in a pistol range.

[BRAD313]

Go to the store and pick a few guns up they all feel different in every ones hands this will help narrow your search then ask Wich of the ones u like are better it will be like asking the Ford Chevy question lol or search on here its probly all ready been asked

[ineverFTF]

For a thicker forest your best bet may be a 12ga shotgun with a rifled barrel, put sst slugs in there and you have a 200 yard gun that will hit harder than a .270 at 50-150 yards.

If you are dedicated to a rifle than a ruger all american in 30-06 or a mossberg 100 atr in -06 would fit the bill perfectly.

[spittinfire]

If you are looking for a good, inexpensive rifle take a look at Marlin XL7 line. I've been using one for a couple of years now and have no complaints. It's a simple rifle with decent fit and finish but for something to drag thru the woods it's fine and it will shoot sub 1" groups at 100 yards.
If you are hunting in NE PA you will run out of room before you run out of rifle with almost any caliber. What kind of recoil do you have experience with?

[Prorebel]

I'm familiar with light to heavy recoil and have been recommended the marlin xl7 but have not handled one

[Prorebel]

Thanks a lot for the info I think the best thing to do is try a few out and find out what feels best thanks again all

[tiberius10721]

On a budget I dont see how you could go wrong with a marlin xl7 chambered in .270 with something like a burris 3x9x40 scope.