Originally Posted by Daveboone

Sounds like you have pretty open terrain (at least compared to my woodsy NYS).
You get some purty good sized animals out there, so you certainly want to go with a dedicate deer round- the .270 is certainly fine, or something in the .30 calibers- .308, 30-06, etc. They all will have some reach, and have plenty of energy for angling through heavier animals. I am a fan of Rugers, but there are many fine bolts out there today. Get out with your uncle and shoot whateve he has- you get shooting experience with different guns. Allways a good thing.