Sounds like the OP has made his choice, but for the sake of discussion...
My choice for a deer rifle would be Savage 16 or 116 Weather Warrior (stainless, synthetic, sporter barrel) or Savage 11 or 111 Lightweight Hunter (carbon steel, wood stock, ultralight barrel, action, and bolt).
My choice of caliber would be either .30-06 for versatility and availability, .243 for lightest weight and recoil, or .260 Rem if I was planning to reload a lot.
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