A couple of other possibilities.

Winchester brought back the .25-35. I don't know all the details of the caliber, but I have read that it is light kicking yet adequate for deer.

http://www.gunblast.com/Winchester_25-35.htm

The problem here is that factory ammo as well as reloading componants may be hard to come by.

Also, there are quite a few sport rifles now chambered for 7.62x39mm. There are even handi-rifles now chambered for the round. Recoil energy is about 7 lbs. I have read that military surplus and Wolf ammo does not reliably fire in the handi-rifles.