I have the ruger american in 308 haven't shot it yet. Need weather to warm up high today was 15 actual temp wind chill was -2. Have the American ringside in 22 magnum one of the best shooting rifle I have or seen. I out shot a guy with a Cooper 22 magnum that he paid $1600 for. Here I got my ruger actually won the 308, but bought the ringside they can't keep them in stock. The gunsmith I use bought and sold probably 30 of them in different cailibers he buys a rifle works up a load it likes plays with it awhile then sells it. He says their one of the best deals on the market.

I plan to spend as much time as possible at the range. I need a new hobby. :-) [/QUOTE]

Because of this statement, recoil factor, selection of rifles, I'd choose the 223 it'll be the easiest on barrels I believe. And also quite capable of killing deer. Look at the "overbore" chart below:
http://www.accurateshooter.com/techn...ed-by-formula/

I'm a fan of Howa rifles. You won't be disappointed with one. Either .223 or 22/250 would be a winner.

Also the remington 700 adl if you have a Wal-Mart near you they can be had for under $400 with a cheap 3-9 scope. I know they make it in 223 remington.

I agree with Jeepkid I like them Howa's too! I'm bidding on a Weatherby VG on GB now, same action as the Howa.

Take a look at these;


http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/ruge...-p-127532.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/weat...-p-121954.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/marl...-p-117249.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/ruge...h-p-99578.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/tikk...h-p-90826.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/remi...h-p-86358.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/howa...h-p-99595.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/sava...m-p-86703.html

http://www.remington.com/product-fam...model-783.aspx

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/thom...-p-121934.html

i would use a .223 as well there was a thread not to long ago on this very issue and a .223 loaded with a good barnes x type of bullet will kill deer all the way out to 300 yards which is a lot further that your suggested distance you might even consider a ar-15 style gun some if not all are good hunting rifles and the bonus is you can put a large capacity mag in it.i to live in arizona and when i hunt in unit 29 i hunt with a ar-15 with 30 or 40 round magazines due to the illegal activity going on and feel much better with that than a bolt action rifle.

I picked up a Kimber Adirondack last week at the great American outdoor show, it weighed 4 pounds 12 ounces, and is a bolt action.. It was outa my price range, but none the less, like handling a daisy air gun, only with a .308 bore. Sure they have other calibers

Tanks for the advice fellas! I do think the .223 is the best choice for me. I will give the Ruger another look but I've got a bug in my system about Weatherby and Howa. What I need most of all is lots of range time and a quiet place to reload. :-)

You know, that's not a bad idea..... I used to have a service route that covered Cochise and Santa Cruz counties. Lots of creepy activity going on in the Huachuca Mountains. Some of my rural clients were women home alone. They had lots of stories of looking up and seeing a face pressed against the window.. Most had some type of firearm within quick reach. Rancher was killed down here a few years ago on his own land.. Yes, that is something to think about. But, Uncle Sam has 24 hour eyes in the sky down here. If they see someone running around with an AR I'm wondering if they would think me a smuggler? Hate to attract attention...