I personaly like the Remington model 7 in .308 or the Savage Scout rifle in .308. This cartridge adequite for game up to the size of Elk. This caliber is ballisticaly similar to the 30-06 mentioned previously. The reason I chose this rifle/bullet combination is due to reliability and familiarity, not to mention reasonably priced. I am currently using the Savage Scout rifle in .308 chambering, and I must say that I am impressed. Light, fast, and reletively powerfull. The other folks also made sound suggestions. You must handle one of the rifles or better yet shoot one to decide. Barry<br><br>

The Marlin Papoose is a nice little .22LR auto take-down rifle; it has a short sight radius and no fore-end, but it the sights are very sharp, it shoots well, it is reliable, and it can take a scope. I've been impressed with it, for a compact rifle.<br><br>