Whatever you do don't jump on something now. Hunting season has got to be ending soon and you're bound to find a good deal. It'll give you time to decide what gun you really want. The nice thing about hunting deer is that they're easy to kill, that's why there's so many good calibers. What other animal can be hunted successfully with everything from a .223 to a .458 mag. Personally I never get any shots over 200 yards and I hate the recoil from a .270 or .30-06. My favorite caliber is the 30-30, I have a Marlin 336SS and a Rossi Rio Grande. I reload my own Leverevolution ammo and it'll reach out to 250 yards with no problem, 300 yards with a little practice. The main thing is that you get a rifle that you like and have confidence in.