A question, does it have to be a repeater?
Two single shots come to mind, the Contender/Encore and the Handi-rifle.
Now, the Handi-Rifles are budget guns, but the often shoot really well, and one in .223 would be light and easy to carry, and cheap to feed. You could even throw in a trigger job, IF its needed (sometimes, it isn't).
The Contender (or the Encore if you want to handle bigger/higher pressure rounds is more expensive, BUT, can be had in nearly any caliber you want, from .22 Hornet to .22-250 for varmint, and of course, larger calibers simply by getting another barrel.