My deer rifle is a Savage model 11FLC in .308. It is not particularly pretty, but it is VERY accurate. With cheap (or what used to be cheap) factory Remington 150 gr Core-Lokt ammo I can get close to one hole groups. I definitely and unreservedly recommend the Savage based on price and accuracy. (Bang for the Buck, you might say
) Availability of inexpensive ammo however, would be based purely on what chambering you choose. IMHO there IS no inexpensive ammo anymore, unless you roll your own.
As for a scope: Given the purposes you outlined, I would go with a 2-7x35 or 3-9x40 scope, with a slight nod to the 3-9x40 due to the fact that this is THE single most popular variable range, which means it tends to be the pricepoint and thus cheaper for any given quality range.
Things to avoid:
Cheap scopes - Optics is one of those areas where you generally get what you pay for (although there is of course a point of diminishing returns). A minimum acceptable quality scope will cost around $100. If you cannot afford that, I highly recommend you shoot with iron sights until you can save enough. Cheap scopes have cheap lenses that will increase eye strain, will not provide sharp resolution, and are far more likely to break, fail to hold zero, or have sloppy adjustments that make it difficult or impossible to sight in properly. You can get a $30 scope that works ok, but it isn't likely.
Doodads & Gizmos - You do not need target turrets, mil-dot reticles, 30mm scope tubes, illuminated reticles, adjustable objectives, or "tactical" anything, unless you absolutely know without a doubt that you want/need it for the type of shooting you are going to do and will use it. For the type of general purpose target shooting/hunting you mentioned, almost all of these things would be just a waste of hard-earned cash.
Over-scoping - Many people seem to think strapping an astronomical observatory to their rifle is the way to go, but a $300 plain-vanilla 3-9x40 scope will have better optical quality and better resolution than a $300 scope with higher magnification. It will be a LOT better than a $300 scope with high magnification and assorted doodads. Also, heat wave distortion can be an issue with higher magnifications. Don't make the common mistake of thinking that higher magnification means you will see the target more clearly. The quality of the scope lenses has much more to do with it. A clear, bright, sharp image at 8x beats a hazy image at 16x any day. With my Zeiss rifle scope on 8x, I can clearly see bullet holes in paper at 100 yards that I have trouble seeing with a cheap spotting scope on 20x!
My (admittedly highly opinionated) scope recommendations:
For a decent scope on a minimal budget of around $100, I would consider this scope:
Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40
If you can afford a scope budget of around $200, a number of good quality choices become available. I would recommend the following:
Bushnell Elite 3200
Sightron SII
Nikon Buckmaster
Burris Fullfield II
The Burris Fullfield II is the scope I put on my daughter's deer rifle when I wanted a good scope that would enable her to enjoy hunting but wouldn't break the bank in case she decided hunting wasn't her thing.
If you can afford a budget of about $300 and want to step up a notch:
Nikon Monarch
Weaver Grand Slam
Bushnell Elite 4200
These scopes are all good choices and should be around $300. My personal choice in this range would be the Bushnell Elite 4200.
If you can afford a bit more ($400), the Zeiss Conquest is a superb scope with outstanding clarity and resolution. You would have to pay almost twice as much to find a scope with better optical quality. This is what I have on my deer rifle. It is the best scope I have ever owned, and unless I suddenly become rich enough to afford a Schmidt & Bender or Zeiss Diavari costing $1300+, I doubt I will ever feel the need to upgrade.
