Wow.. Good post. I was going to interject my comments here but decided that it would be a waste of my time.

300 mag.. great round

All other deer legal calibers.. great rounds

Need to spend $1800+ on first deer rifle... not great advice

Need to spend $400 on a walmart deer rifle combo with scope.. great idea!

Like I mentioned before.. shoot what you can afford and are comfortable with. I can promise you I enjoy hunting with my 22 hornet more than my 8mm or 338 win mag. Its so much easier on the shoulder and for the win mag the pocket book.