45-70 because big slow bullets kill.

If you're new to hunting that means your new to tracking. See if somebody will let you shoot an 06 to see if the recoil is not to bad. If you begin to flinch after 5 or 10 rounds have second thoughts about using one to start with or get lower loaded rounds for it. One thing about the 06 is there will be definitely less tracking. I'm talking hunting and not long days at the range shooting for score or group. Even the best shooters groups tend to open up a bit with repeated shots like at a silhouette match where targets are at 550 yards.

I know people are going to say "you can't beat an AR" but they are wrong, and I will tell you why. If you get an AR (no matter the caliber) you can only hunt with 5 round magazines. that being said you will be carrying around a heavy (generally speaking) less accurate gun that cost more then if you bought a nice bolt action in .243 or .308, or even 30-06 if you don't mind the recoil.

The 308 is one of the finest deer cartridges on the market. The advantage you will have with the .308 will be the fact that if you ever do expand your hunting areas and have shots at much longer range this caliber will get the job done.

Check out the Browning bolt actions while you are window shopping. They make a fine gun. It is also available in the Browning lever action rifles also.

What are you smoking? You can use any size mag for hunting in Texas. Ars are close to bolt gun accuracy. You are just limited to slightly less powerful rounds.

I was once in this camp, until I got an AR in 7.62x39. Best thing I notice is it'll put deer on their butts and if a sounder of hogs show up, well I have the ability of a quick follow up.

Most AR's are MOA or better once you find out what it likes. Heavier? Ya right, my 308 AR is lighter than any bolt gun I own. Its 8ish pounds. If you go 6.5 or 6.8 you can easily be at 7 pounds

No mag restriction in Texas. Follow up shots have saved me a couple times, its very likely a sounder of hogs will come in where I hunt.

A bolt gun offer ZERO advantage period.

I'm glad there are members here that can speak from experience and expertise to guide us on the path to enlightenment.


Chupa

I shot my first deer 40 years ago with a Jap surplus 6.5mm. I've also used a 30-30, a 270, 30-06, 7MM and 300 Win Mag. I killed more deer with the 270 than all the others combined. If I had to chose one, it would be the 30-06 with 180 grain bullet. Most were all bolt action rifles and were Remington's. My 30-30 is a Marlin.

I've taken deer with a .308/FAL, .45-70 lever action, .257 Roberts bolt action, 7mm-08 bolt, and an old 8mm Mauser I bought for $60 many years ago. Some with iron sights, some with scopes.

My point is that they all did the job. Find a rifle that feels good to you, fits your finances in cost and ammo selection (so you can afford to practice with it), and go from there. On a tight budget? I have bought .30-30's for $250-300 and a box of ammo can be had for under $15 (used to find some for under $10). No budget? The sky's the limit.

Honestly, you might as well ask us what the best food is. We can tell you what we like, but you kind of have to try some things before you know what YOU like.

6 pages of good advice here and this argument has been going on for centuries.

For starters, the deer doesn't give a diddley damn what caliber you use. You just have to park a hunting type bullet in the right place.

But there are some unknowns about you.

I assume you are from Texas. Are you? If so, what part and what kind of terrain will you hunt? Flat terrain like West Texas calls for a different set up than the Big Thicket. You didn't show a location when you signed up for this site.

What is your gender and size?

Are you new to shooting or just hunting?

Do you want a "do it all" gun or just something that will kill a deer?

What is the comfort zone in your budget? Not just for the gun but the ammo.

Savage Axis, Remington 700 or Browning A-Bolt. With Savage you get high quality at a good price, that's for sure. The last two are reliable rifles, as well.

Based on the assumption that you are as new to firearms as you are to hunting, I would recommend any of the tried and true bolt actions from Browning, Winchester, Remington, Ruger or Weatherby. There are great new comers as well from TC, Howa and Tikka in the same price range. My choice in roughly the same price range would be the Weatherby Vanguard. As for caliber to hunt deer, lots of great choices, but I would recommend the .308 Win. for it's versatility, effectiveness, affordability and availability. The .308 is a great beginner caliber.

The Weatherby Vanguard chambered in .257 wby. mag. scoped with a Nikon Monarch 2.5x10 would be a fun fast deer killing machine. (what I would get)

Oh man these always get out of control! but I cant resist. 270 WSM, 7 mm mag, 300 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor

Will disagree regarding zero advantage. Bolt can offer more choices in reloading, plus more camming power if needed. More variety in manufacturers. More choices in wood, synthetics, and stock materials. Personally I have never seen much engraving done to AR while have seen some very personalized engraving on a nice custom bolt action. Bolt with suppressor is quitter than AR with suppressor in my limited experience. Solid floorplate in a bolt insures the mag isn't going to fail to be inserted properly.

I am not saying a bolt is better, only that it does offer some advantages.

22 hornet, done. done. and done.