re: Thinking about buying a deer rifle in the future.

I'd go with a 270 or 30-06 bolt action rifle, if I were a novice. You can purchase a fine rifle for $500, but you must also realize and understand that the scope makes the rifle. Do not go cheap on your scope. A $300 scope is cheap!! I'd much rather spend $300 on a used gun and $1,000 on a new top quality scope.

You can buy 270 and 30-06 shells anywhere that sells shells, if that's your only rifle.