I'd go with the .308,, shoot it less and focus on accuracy and fundamentals of good marksmanship. Your gonna want to get started with reloading as soon as you can afford it so the price factor on the .308 ammo won't be bad at all. Hunting deer is great,, who cares if anyone else wants to do it,, do it by yourself. I prefer to hunt alone because I'm much more focused on what I'm doing, how much noise I'm making and being able to blend in to the enviornment seeing a deer before they can see me.