Good first rifle/scope combo for deer hunting

[grubbylabs]

I would second Russ, I just bought a Marlin XS-7 in 308 and a Nice Vortex 4-12 scope for 510. I paid 360 out the door for the rifle and 150ish for the scope. So far it has been a great shooting gun. There are several member on her who have written some good reviews about the new marlin bolt actions, and you can get them in all the calibers you are looking at. The XL is the long action like the 270 or 30-06 and the XS is the short action like the 308 or 7mm08

Good luck with whatever you get and show pics when you get it.