Hi all!

I'm returning to hunting after a 15 year sabatical of living in the city and having kids. I need some gun input.

I live in Baton Rouge, LA, and recently visited some family just east of the Homochitto Nat. Forest in Mississippi. (Nice deer in those parts!) There, I received an open invatation to hunt 80 unhunted acres of private bottom, overcut and hardwoods that are surrounded by heavily hunted land. No one else will be hunting there. Sign is everywhere, and all I need now is a gun, some camo, and a freezer.

Since the main purpose is to get meat in the freezer (of course I'll have a blast too), I have to do this as cheap as possible. I need something that I can use for stalking, and still hunting in the woods and the overcut where a 100 yard shot will not be out of the question.

My gun has to be rugged, versatile, and CHEAP...with widely available ammo too, cause I'll need a LOT of target practice. (Right now, all I own is my grandfather's old Remington Speedmaster.)

My budget...please don't laugh...$200 or less.

I have seen some inexpensive military rifles from yesteryear, but I honestly know very little of what is what when you get away from standard "american" calibers.

I have also seen some Marlin 336s in that price range. Sorry about the novel.

Since I'm clueless, any and all suggestions will be valued.

BTW...GREAT site!