[Chainfire]

Mosin-Nagant; $99.00 OTD. You don't actually have to hit the deer, the shock wave will take him down and you can cut his throat with a $2.00 butcher knife, while he is stunned.

[bige91603]

You can pick up a rem 770 or savage axis for 299 scoped, I've heard good and bad things about both rifles

[Hunterdan]

Marlin 336 in 35. Was just at cabelas and they had a few used ones on the used racks for well under $500. The 35 hits harder than the 30-30 and won't beat you up shooting it. My family has a few of them in the safe. Lots of deer have been dropped with them.

[ChicagoJoe]

I recommend .308 or 30-06. You can find ammo for both calibers just about anywhere from many makers, bullet types, weights etc. Unless you will be taking longer shots go with the .308; it kicks less so you will practice more and not pick up a flinch.

As to rifles, I would steer clear of new Remingtons because their quality control has dropped since the Freedom Group bought them (look for a used one from the pre FG days). I just bought a Weatherby Vanguard S2 new for $425. If you like two stage triggers and a heavier rifle this is an option. I read great things about Savage accuracy, but have never fired one. Go to a gun shop and see what fits you best. A good scope for the money is the Redfield Revolution.

[axxe55]

Originally Posted by 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?

Originally Posted by Prorebel

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

Originally Posted by 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.

the Marlin X7 series is probably the best value in a budget rifle there is. the only thing budget about them is the price. accurate, well built, adjustable trigger, very good recoil pad, and pillar bedded. put a good scope on one and you have one dang good deer rifle. the calibers suggested are all good, but another one to consider is the 7mm-08. very good ballistics, gentle recoil and should work well at your distances.

[Old_Crow]

If you have to have a rifle the 30/06 is the most versatile. You might find a savage 110 which is a good rifle but you will be stuck with a scope that comes with a combo. Seldom are the scopes that come in the combos very good. Waiting until fall to buy a rifle is seldom a good idea. Prices are much better after hunting season. You might luck into a nice used rifle. Many people get the urge to buy a better rifle right before hunting season.

[Abc1911]

Try an sks

[ninjatoth]

Originally Posted by ChicagoJoe

I recommend .308 or 30-06. You can find ammo for both calibers just about anywhere from many makers, bullet types, weights etc. Unless you will be taking longer shots go with the .308; it kicks less so you will practice more and not pick up a flinch.

As to rifles, I would steer clear of new Remingtons because their quality control has dropped since the Freedom Group bought them (look for a used one from the pre FG days). I just bought a Weatherby Vanguard S2 new for $425. If you like two stage triggers and a heavier rifle this is an option. I read great things about Savage accuracy, but have never fired one. Go to a gun shop and see what fits you best. A good scope for the money is the Redfield Revolution.

I just got a ruger american in 308 and was surprised at how little it recoils,it was much softer than my buddy's rem 700 in 270 win,that 308 is comparable to a 30-30 win or marlin in recoil.and that 308 is a flat accurate shooter too.