If I was going to buy a MLer and was a newbie, I'd look for some good deals. Im kinda partial to the CVA ACCURA and now if you look you can find some of the Original ACCURA's out there for a Great Price. I think if you look you can find one for around $250. Now for the money and it also comes with a SS Bergara Barrel you cant find a better MLer for the Money (New that is) Mabey all you have to spend it what you have now, if that's the case and you want to Hunt with it still this Season then go for it, but if you can afford the extra $$ think about the ACCURA.
Now I even get the same looks as you shooting CVA's, but after owning many of them and taking lot's and lot's of Deer and never having one let me down, and being as accurate as any high priced MLer, Im Happy with them. Could I afford a much higher priced MLer, yes, but that's not why I chose a CVA ACCURA, it was all I got for my money that mattered most and how it shot that sold me.
But no matter what you buy down the road you'll buy more and more once the Bug hits you. Dont worry about what anyone else says about what you shoot, just have fun, that's what matters most.
Pellets are fine for now, use 2 50gr it's all you'll need. I use 240gr XTP's and Winchester W209 Primers or Triple 7 Primers are good choices. Just get a cleaning jag, a brush for the bore and some Oil for the Barrel and some patches and you can go shoot. Oh plain old soap and water will be all you'll need to clean the barrel if you use pellets, and some Windex Patches for inbetween cleaning at the range.
Best of Luck and Enjoy!
(BP)