Well thats a pretty general question, you could leave the store with a El cheapo savage axis or rem 770 in a wide choice of big game calibers and a 3-9x40 mounted and bore sighted scope for under $400 out the door or you could spend all the way up to 1200-1400 without a scope for a top of the line winchester or Rem. I'd say for a good first rifle that will last you many years and never give you a problem I'd save $700-800 for the rifle and another $200 for a scope. One of my buddies asked my opinion on a first rifle for deer hunting (he's used a 12 gauge his whole life) and had a $1000 budget. I picked out a winchester model 70 stainless featherweight in 30-06 for $799 (ive got a soft spot for model 70's) and a Leupold vx-1 scope 3-9x40 for $189, a sling for $20 and a hard case for another $20 and he was just a hair over his $1000 budget. A good winchester under 800 would be a m70 featherweight or sporter with the sporter being a tad cheaper and with Remington there are a ton of different model 700's to choose from. In savage there is the American classic which from everything I've heard is an outstanding value and great shooter for about $700. If you're okay with a synthetic there are alot more choices and you could get out of the store spending $800 for a rifle, scope, sling, case, and a box of ammo. Basically you can go as cheap as $350 or expensive as $4,000. Generally spending around $800 should get you a really good complete set up that will work well, have good accuracy, and last you years. It just might not be the prettiest. Just depends what exactly you want. What is your budget?
