I own a .25-06 Marlin XL7, and it is a reliable gun. Shoots good with ammo it likes. I am working on hand loads now, but it shoots Winchester Supreme 115 grain MOA or under, and Remington 100 grain Core-Lokts @ 1.25 to 1.5" all at 100 yards. I have had some good days where 200 yards .5 to .75" are possible and repeatable.
I have a Bushnell 4200 3-9x40 on top with Talley 1 piece lightweight ring and base combos.
I am looking into buying a higher dollar .25-06 with a 24" barrel, or I might put a thicker barrel on this action. The XL7 is a good gun for the money, and will shoot good enough for deer out to 300 yards. I know from experience on that. I've done it, but prefer to shoot @ 50 yards or less.
Stevens 200, Mossberg, Marlin XL7, T/C Venture, etc are all basically the same type rifle. Entry level barrels and stocks made for the meat hunter who has a family to feed. Sometimes when money is tight it doesn't matter what the vehicle looks like as long as it gets you to work. Those rifles mentioned in this thread are all suitable for putting food on the table.
If you're looking to shoot competition with this rifle then cost will go up, but for $500 or less you can find you a good hunting rifle.
An XL7 is what $259.00? I think I paid like $249.00 for mine, and if you put on a Bushnell Banner scope into the mix you're looking right at $460 to $500. The XL7 comes with an adjustable trigger. I will say this. They come with the stocks torques for 5lbs of pressure at the forearm to barrel connection. I took my stock off and adjusted the trigger, and I lost some accuracy when I put the stock back on. So I filed down the pressure spots, and called it a day.
Let us know what you purchase. Good caliber of choice also. Good luck.