So .243 ammo is too expensive for you. Guess what: Hunting WILL burn a hole in your pocket. And your vacation time. And many of your weekends. If you don't want to spend money, then I'd recommend a different hobby. I think the cheapest way to do it would be a mosin with cheap ammo [make sure it is soft tipped and not FMJ]. But just realize that deer meat, for most people, is more expensive than buying beef. The rifle, the ammo, the scope, the truck, the gas , the cammo, the good boots, the binocs, the decent knife, the presents for the wife to appologize for always being gone, etc...