ORIGINAL: James B
You can't beat the Handi rifle if you are on a budget. They sell for about 200-210 dollars and come in many good deer calibers including 270,280 30-30, 30-06 , 44 Mag, 308,7mm-08 and other options if you wish to add extra barrels which are also cheaper than dirt. For price you can't even come close. Not even with a used rifle as a rule.
Got the .243 today. With the 22 inch barrel, it is nicely balanced. Also, it is about 1 inch longer than my Ruger 10/22. Should be fun. The 25-06 has been a blast.