>Might want to look at Mossberg's
>Patriot Revere. Beautiful rifle with
>2-3X English Walnut burl grain
>stock and rosewood on pistol
>grip and forend!
>Cabela's, Sportman's Warehouse, Bud's Gunshop and
>other big box sporting goods
>stores offer at around $620-$660
>down from around $820.00 MSRP.
>
The Mossberg Patriot is one of only 2 budget guns I would buy and I did buy one. I wouldn't spend $600+ on the Revere model though. Yes you get a nice walnut stock and a 2" longer barrel, but the synthetic models can be found under $300 and I got a new one last fall for $219; The Patriot makes a good beater mountain rifle as they only weigh 6.5 lbs.
The only other $300 rifle I would consider is the T/C Compass. It has a 3 position safety, which is a must have if hunting in thick cover. It also has a threaded barrel with a thread protector. both of these guns shoot sub moa.