I'm an old guy (61) and have been looking down a barrel of some type or another since I was fifteen. Not preaching, not trash talking. If (yeah, I know) I was in your position, and with all the current political circus going on, I'd consider a lever action 30-30 or preferably a bolt action in .270 or maybe in 30-06. My next goal would be to get a basic reloading set up and stock up on bullets, primers, and powder. Third goal would be a good scope and mounts. By reloading you'd have the light bullet weight option for varmits/coyotes or a heavy bullet weight for deer. This would also give you more control and less at the mercy of the market gyrations such as we are now experiencing. Semi autos are fun. My primary hunting gun is a DPMS LR 308. Its a fantastic rifle. But I also hunt with a 1950s Belgian Mauser in 30-06. Its really not a matter of how many bullets go down range, its can you hit and kill what you are shooting at. So my suggestion for a rifle is to get a good basic gun in a standard caliber, reload for it, and learn to shoot it well. I would definitely look in the used bolt action area.