[JimBianchi11]

Marlin 60 or Win 190. Booth are great tube fed .22LR guns. $200.

Used Remington 7400 in 30.06. Outstanding big game gun. Plenty accurate enough for man-deer sized animal out to 400y. $400 used.

Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870. Both are great shotguns, both come as hunters or protection gun, just decide wear you want the safety and pick that one. (Mossberg is on top of the grip, great for lefties) $250-$300 used

[Tainan]

Good choices and in yr budget.

This is why the "banglist" is yer buddy...;)

[Pollster1]

Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870. Both are great shotguns, both come as hunters or protection gun, just decide wear you want the safety and pick that one. (Mossberg is on top of the grip, great for lefties) $250-$300 used

I'd consider the Remington® 887™ alongside the Remington 870. Otherwise, I would add nothing to your picks.

[GenXteacher]

I second what Jim and Gaffer said, although in my neck of the woods you can get the Marlin for under $100 used.

[ops33]

Agree with you about the Mossberg 550. I have one next to my bed. My wife shoots lefthanded, I am right handed. Having the safety on top of the weapon makes using it much easier. Also, the safety has a red dot indicator next to the switch, very easy to see when you raise the shotgun to fire.
I also have a Walthers PK380. It also has an ambidexterous (sp) safety.

[ops33]

Agree with you about the Mossberg 500. I have one next to my bed. My wife shoots lefthanded, I am right handed. Having the safety on top of the weapon makes using it much easier. Also, the safety has a red dot indicator next to the switch, very easy to see when you raise the shotgun to fire.
I also have a Walthers PK380. It also has an ambidexterous (sp) safety.