fillae

I have a Browning A-Bolt in 7mm mag with Leupold 3-9x40 var xII scope and I paid right at $650. I certainly think $700 is a plenty good budget to get a nice setup. As to the caliber, you need to decide what the use of the gun is. If it's deer only, then retrieverman listed some excellent choices. If you want to go after bigger game (elk), then you will want at least the 270 and up, although most elk hunters do not think the 270 is enough.