I second checking on the pawn shops. When I lived down south I got some sweet deals. For what you want to hunt I would say 270, 308,7mm-08 or 30-06. I've handled the 710, stay away from it. For your money Savage and Howa is probably your best buy although you may still find some 700 ADL's on the shelves.

Timbercruiser has an excellent suggestion - look for a good used one. Guns seldom wear out, it'd be hard to shoot one of the ones we normally hunt with enough to wear it out.

DONT GET A 710!!!! I sell guns and I wont sell them to anyone. If you want a good cheap gun get a savage. They are making great guns right now and are low in price. I would get a 270. Also the geting a used gun is a good Idea but make sure you know the guns history.

personally, i would buy a savage model 110. i got one bought for me, my first year deer hunting. picked a slightly used one (.270), topped it with a scope for under $300. you can get the .270 bullets anywhere from 115 grains to 150 grain, which is plenty for deer and coyotes. or go out and get a nef handi-rifle. they are sweet guns. my friends dad bought a .223 for him, and after seeing it once, i wanted one. they dont got loads of money, and it is kinda tight sometimes, so im imagining it was less than $200. just check local gun shops. thats how my dad gets good deals on guns. i would stay away from remingtons. i dont like them. i dont even like their ammo. i bought a box once for the .270, and i couldnt even sight it in because of all the fliers. not one box of ammo in our cabinet is remington ( not even shotgun)

I find remingtons to be great, though i am now interested in a new savage.

I think you should just buy your sweet lovely fiance a new gun instead, Granted i just got my Mossberg 835, i think i need a deer gun b/4 your get your rifle

~kep

I am glad to see many saying the Savage! I agree I own and hunt with a Savage Model 110 in .270and absolutely love it. For the price I do not believe you could get a better gun. My opinion only! And it sounds like your better half knows a thing or two, the Mossberg 835 is an excellent shotgun I own 2 of them for Turkey hunting! Another gun that proves price does not always mean quality!

You can't go wrong with the Remington 700. I don't know anything about the 710. Most of the others mentioned are considered good guns. Personally, for the hunting you said you were going to do, I would choose the .270. In reality, it can be loaded to be adequate for everything in North America except the big bears, and you can load it with lighter bullets for smaller animals. Why be subjected to the slightly higher recoil of the '06 when most of what you are shooting is going to be at the lower end of the capability of both?