You too, Ray? A .243 Winchester was my first all-my-own rifle when I was 10.RPBrown wrote:I used a 243 when I was a kid and have brought in several deer with it. Just a tad small though.
And I agree with Ray that a .270 might represent your best, all-around choice of the group. Here's a brief article by Chuck Hawks that might help give you a better indication of suitable calibers for specific game: http://www.chuckhawks.com/hunting_rifles_game.htm.
I'm not much help on a scope. The only optics I've bought in years are CQB red-dot types. The only cautionary note I feel comfortable adding is to not get hung up on magnification power. I can't imagine ever needing anything stronger than 12X for hunting purposes.
In that price range, I think I'd look at Bushnell's "Trophy" or "Banner" series, BSA Optics, Simmons' "ProHunter" series, maybe Nikon or Tasco, and Leupold or Burris if you can go up to $200.