RE: Deer Gun Selection help>>>
Soounds like a 50 cal. ML would be a great option. I have a CVA Optima. It shoots great. It is simple, easy to load, easy to clean and mine is very accurate. I have killed several deer out to about 125 ... not a problem.
If you want acenter fire rifle and need to stay on a budget, there are several good opitions. Sounds like a short barrel rifgle would work fine. Look hard at the "used" option. Often you can stumble into a great deal. If you don't mind normal wear and scratches on the stock, you canoften save$150 or more off a new price. If you want new, look at the Savage and Ruger lines. Savage rifles are typically less pricey ... plain, but a fine hunting rifle. Ruger makes a rugged, control feed, accurate, well builtrifle that is priced reasonable.