[jmarriott]

[B]his department issue heavy barrel Remington 700, while highly effective, is a bit cumbersome and heavy[B]

Why not look at the used racks until you get the best rifle for the price. So many good rifles for sale and do what he wants for deer. I don't think he really wants a bolt action rifle anyways since he was conserned on weight and being comfortable to hunt with.

I saw a Marlin 36 30/30 225 dollars at the last show and asked the guy why he was selling it. Said Indiana is a deer slug state abd he had not used it in several years. Almost bough it myself but was 75 short. Looked Like the day it was brought out of the box. Get a pep sight or cheap red dot and your set.

The single shot H&R rifles are cheap and light and now the factory will sell extra barrels and fix the trigger for free on them.

There were several Bolt action rifles for sale in the 300 to 400 range that far outshined the 710/bushnell combo. Not 219 but well afordable for deer hunting and they had scopes and nice slings, Several 30-06 seemed to pop up on the shelves this year maybe being replaced with Ultra/short mags.

Sparten rifles are remmingtons other cheap line and might be worth taking a look at but IMHO the 710 can stay on the dealers shelf. I am not a 710 fan.