RE: help with budget deer gun!!!!!
I love my savage 110 in '06 used from a pawn shop for $229.00. It cleaned up to almost new condition. The Mossberg atr100 (based on th old raptor) has gotten several good reviews in American rifleman, The complete rifleman and another mag whose name escapes me. John Sundra reiviewd it in the current issue of the complete rifleman. Function was great and the smallest group was under MOA.. If Sundra says it's a good cheap rifle, then it is.
The remington 710 is newly redesigned and no longer has the "plastic" action. It is more like a model 700 now. But it is a tad more money and heavier. But it is a much better gun.
BTW noboby is stating an obvious option here. Go to a gun show and pick up a marlin or winchester 30-30 lever gun with a scope on it. You should be able to get one for 200 bucks or so. You are good to 150 or 175 yards with this gun. Ammo is cheap, and is fine for deer sized game. The guns are light and dependable and cool.
okcmco