for a rifle, i really do suggest a marlin xl7 or xs7, same model just with different calibers like the xl7 have long calibers while the xs7 has short calibers. i have a .270 xl7 and man does it shoot well! it was 300$, you can get it in synthetic or wooden, but seriously check it out. marlins been around for ever and makes wonderful guns!

If you are strictly going after deer only...no turkeys or small game than I agree with the choice of the 270..

I purchased one last summer from Walmart..Remington model 700 ..It's a tack driver..very seroius..and you can shoot deer from any range. My rifle cost about 350.00 ...how ever I bought a 250.00 scope..{ -;
When I said 870 12 guage I was presuming you'd be hunting turkey and small game as well. ..and you were on a tight budget.You don't have to be rich to hunt..

I remember back when I started ....

I scouted...built a make shift platform in a tree....wore my regular old clothes..no scents , calls, range finders or nothing..deer walked by BOOM! end of story. One of the things about being on a forum is that the power of suggestion is VERY POWERFUL...thus the reason why all the pop up ads you see here..I have been here for 5 years and have bought a lot of stuff..just from reading these threads...most of the stuff I really didn't need. } -; ...mostly extra fishing rods..} -;

I second that. I've not paid over 350.00 for a rifle, and cannot see doing so. I've shot many many deer with my mossberg 06, which i got for 270.00 and my nef 12gauge shotgun, i got for 100.00. No need to spend an arm and a leg for a rifle. I bought my Mountaineer archery bow for 150.00 used. And spend about 100.00 for a wiskerbiscut and fiber optic sights. If the gun/bow shoots, and your hitting your mark, the deer will expire.