I have a XL7 in 30-06 and it is a Great rifle for the money, check marlinowners.com lots of happy Marlin shooters on there. Mine cost less than $300.00 bought a Nikon Prostaff w BDC and the whole outfit cost me around $475.00. Check them out !!
Check out the Marlin XL & XS 7s they may be cheep but will shoot bullet for bullet with any High cost rifle out there!! I in have a XL 7 in 30-06 and it shoots as good as or better than my buddies Rem 700 in the same caliber. Great rifle for $300.00, and you said you have a scope so you are half way there. Good luck with whatever you buy, just show some pics!!
I have one in 30/06 and love it very nice shooter!I have a Nikon prostaff with BDC on it , nice recoil pad on them also. Get out and shoot it and let us know how it is !!
Take a trapping course and learn about the trap to animal comparison,coons 1 1/2s, fox 1 3/4 and coyotes use a #3 or even 2s. Find a trapper around you by checking the state trapper asocc, they will be glad to help you start out!!