i have the savage weather warrior in 22-250. you couldnt possibly have a better gun in my opinion. i knock down deer with it all day and you can guarantee it would make short work of any yote or groundhog. i would recommend the 22-250 for you purposes. light recoil and accurate as can be. some consider it light for deer, but i have never had one run more than about 50 yards. as for the scope, i would say the prostaff 4x12 or the buckmaster 4.5x14. in my opinion, the buckmaster is worth every penny.