Are you in New England? You indicated that you'd visited Riley's and KTP, so I'm assuming NH or ME. If so, don't buy a new rifle, buy a hunt where there are decent numbers of worthy deer. When I have friends from NH come to visit, I don't even let them bring ammo the first day that they are hunting, otherwise they shoot the first buck in the 120 range that they see. After a day or two, they are able to hold themselves back and not shoot little Nebraska deer.
My high school buddies from Hanover and vicinity love to come shoot deer in Nebraska, even more so when I buy a bunch of seasons choice tags and give them the meat to take home. Three guys taking turns at the wheel can drive straight through from Omaha to Concord with stops to fill the fuel tank, empty the bladder, and get a bite to eat.
