My first in 1967 was a 7mm Spanish Mauser my Old Man paid $15 for, and it was worth about $10. Geez, what a worthless POS - it soured me greatly on all Spanish Mausers for the next 57 years and counting. First real rifle, bought with my own money for $40 the next year, was a M1896 Krag Cavalry Carbine, a genuine one not a cut-down rifle. That gun was in my hands when I whacked my first deer. No pics exist of either gun.
The last couple seasons I've alternated about equally between three, unable to pick one over the other - they all serve me well and will likely be my deer hunting battery until the end of my days. I'm not as gung-ho about it as I used to be. In no particular order of preference:
Original Springfield M1903 NRA Sporter, 1929, one of around 4400 made between 1922 and 1933. Krag sporter I built. Ruger #1A 6.5x55.
Pretty obvious the Krag would take it on style points where I hunt.
Well this is a fine pickle we're in, should'a listened to Joe McCarthy and George Orwell I guess.