Mignolafan
I haven't read every response, but from what I have scanned, 243, 270, 25-06, 308, 30-06, and 7mm-08 have been suggested as calibers. I am in Texas too and have killed deer with every caliber in the list except 7mm-08, and my uncle and cousins have been using it and killing deer for years. I would recommend every caliber already suggested except 243. There is nothing wrong with it, but I just believe that the others listed are better choices. If I were picking a new gun for one of my kids to start out with, I would go with either 308 or 7mm-08.

As far as which rifle, I am not a Savage fan, but from what I have heard, they are probably the most accurate out of the box production rifle on the market. I don't think you will go wrong with one.

If you will let the board know where you are located in Texas, there might be someone on here that lives close to you and can offer some personal help to you.