If you don't have one already, buy a .22 first and get the shooting basics down. The absolute worst thing you can do is to buy a gun with too much recoil right off the bat. If you have a .22, ignore that The 06' will handle anything in N.A. with the proper bullets. However, if you're only going to be shooting deer, you'd be just as well off with something smaller like a .270. Either one are "standards" that have proven track records. As for a rifle choice, Steven's have an excellent reputation for excellent out of the box shooters. Hope this helps,

Cory