Predate....I think the .243 is a very good choice,I have 2 nice 8-Point Bucks on my wall that were taken with my Browning .243 Rifle.Next thing is to find a nice reasonably priced Rifle...I would reccomend You look at the Savage line of Rifles and check around on prices...You'd be surprised out how afforable a new Rifle can be if You check around.The newer Savage Axis (was the Savage Edge) Rifles are available in several Calibers and some even come with a scope package.I priced a Savage Axis in a .223 bolt-action with Camo and the Bushnell 3X9X40mm scope for $359.00 + tax,the plain black composite Rifle with scope was priced at $319.00 + taxes.I also looked into getting the new Savage Light weight Hunter in a .223 also and the Rifle weighs in at around 5 1/2 pounds so its going to be easy to pack around and I believe it will have the Accu-trigger?The Remington Rifles are great too,the Weatherby Vanguards are priced nicely too...shop around compare prices and brands as much as possible.

I usually buy the Millet Scope rings and bases and when it comes to a nice afforable scope with great glass that is good and clear in the early mornings and late evenings when low light can make it difficult to see any Predators or Whitetail Deer You can't beat the Leupold Rifleman 3X9X40mm scopes and right now they are on sale at BPS for the QDM matte black scope with the fine cross-hairs and the 2 lower dots for shooting out further.