re: Novice Hunter - 1st Rifle Purchace

.308, .30/06, and .270 would be you best three choices for a new Hunter. The rifle I would pick would be a Tikka T3 and a Nikon Monarch scope for it. It a $550 dollar rifle is not in your budget than get the $379 dollar Remington 700 from Walmart or academy. Also if $350 to $450 is not in the budget for a scope then just get a Nikon prostaff for around $185 to $225 depending on power.