First rifle to go hunting deer? I know Browning sometimes offers a Leupold scoped X-bolt combo, I have seen it with Vortex too, but I am not sure it is still within budget; maybe during a good promotion?
According to the rumor, in such a rifle, 6.5 Creedmore would answer many questions not even asked yet.
If buying brand new is not that important, the older A-bolt in .270 Win. should likely be pretty easy to find with a scope on it, and it might very well be a decent one, already properly mounted. 270 Winchester is a proven deer caliber with only qualities. While in the used section, why not check for one with a nice recoil pad already there. Nobody said recoil is a must.
If target shooting is high on the menu, a .308 that shot half a box of ammo in 30 years might be a better choice simply due to the availability of so many good commercial loads easy to find. I hear they also incidentally can be lobbed at deer pretty effectively.
But just for hunting? .270 Winchester was my choice long ago and I never felt the need to change. The rifle is even a semi. Hunting doesn't need five holes touching at 200 yards, deer fall before that. A softball at 100 yards is just fine, so, don't worry so much about half MOA accuracy warranties.
It accuracy ever becomes a really important priority, it's going to cost more than a thousand dollars for rifle and scope. It is out there, these rifles and scopes exist. They are just more expensive. Just take a look at Accuracy International and Nightforce, they make it clear.
I have other rifles for plinking (.22), target shooting (.223) and taking walks with a rifle (30-30). Yes, just that. To be honest, I also got a .30-06, but not because it was needed, just because I did not have one, that's all. It seemed, how should I say this, improper to lack it?
I strongly disagree with the whole buy something in the new affordable plastic accuracy range if the guy buys his first rifle. Sometimes the first is the only one; it might as well be a good looking one. A few scratches on gorgeous wood will always look better than cheap plastic bending at the approach of your cheek (RAR). If later on your friend wants to investigate calibers, leave a rifle at camp, get one to do more target work or other activities than just hunting with it following a little practice, the cheap but accurate rifles become absolutely exciting. There, in the not hunting activities, a scope can be more of a guess, some nice surprises do happen sometimes after all, and it usually won't be as abused as a hunting scope.
If buying a scope brand new for that hunting rifle, it just can't be a guess. Get a good scope; hunting ultimately means killing. Leupold 3x9x40 is a good choice, it is solid and versatile.
If the deer looks too small in the scope at x9 for the hunter to take a shot, well, get closer to the deer, that is because it is too far to be shot. Mine is as clear as it needs to be. And make sure to mount it in quality rings. They are the least expensive part of the whole equation, often neglected, but they are the link between the rifle and its sighting device: they are important.
