I'll leave the caliber up to you, but with deer hunting I like to have a semi aoutomatic. It just has that assurance that if you need to get a second shot off it is there very quickly. For this action the Benelli R1 is an amazing rifle. My Father bought one in .308 and heabsolutely loves it. It also cycles like a machine gun, well not really but it is super fast. Plus it has the accuracy to punch 1'' MOA groups out to the distances you want to shoot. Check their website to see the calibers it comes in if your interested. Good Luck.