The Savage Axis XP and Savage Axis XP II youth combos are some of the best deals out there on a starter rifle that will last for life, all for less than $500 (and some searching can get these for less than $400). These come with a scope borsighted, and reportedly can get less than 1.5" groups at 100 yards of the box.

XP Youth: http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/axisxpyouth
XP II Youth: http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/model/axis2xpyouth


The differences in the XP and XP II: The XP II has a better (read smoother, lighter pull) trigger than the XP,;however the XP II only comes in a .243 youth model, where the XP youth comes in .223, .243 and 7mm-08 calibers.

I am partial to the 7mm-08, and the Hornady SST 120 grain Custom Lite round is plenty enough round to take whitetail at reasonable ranges in the South.

http://www.hornady.com/store/7mm-08-...ST-customlite/