Thanks for the advice (although I'm sorta getting this "this guy must be a pansy if he can't even stand recoil from a .270" kinda vibe). My budget on a rifle is $400 max not including accessories, cause I can buy those later. I may go check out the lever action rifles, since I like the John Wayne kinda thing. Anybody tried the 94 series winchesters? What are some good lever action manufacturers?

Also I enrolled in a safety course that's scheduled to take place on Aug. 13, and my first hunt will be sometime in november, so I'll have more than enough time to practice my shot beforehand.

And this last one is driving me insane. On the link t roy gave me, it says I have to wear a minimum of 500 square inches of flourescent orange clothing during deer season. Isn't it counterproductive to stand out like a sore thumb? Wouldn't the deer (or anything else for that matter) see you, and run away?