Originally Posted by
Father Forkhorn
Saying this points you right at the .308 without a doubt. Ammo costs are significantly lower in that caliber. Kick is less.
Nailed it.

Nothing wrong with any of the other calibers mentioned either though of course.
As for great shooting "budget rifles", TC Compass with $75 rebate, Winchester XPR with $100 rebate or a Savage AXIS II with (I believe) a $100 rebate are all fantastic rifles that can be had for around $250 or less in some instances. Ruger American shoots pretty well also but they rarely offer the rebates of the others mentioned.