I happen to agree with Benjamin on trying to get down a little closer to $250 (though $300 might be ok if he won;t budge and you really like the gun) and to keeping your expected kill range under about 150 yards.

The 30-30 is a good brush gun in your location. These larger caliber rounds won;t deflect quite as readily after hitting a fine twig or three.

In NE Ohio where I'm originally from high powered rifles weren't permitted, though I think the .30 caliber carbine round was ok (can;t be sure now). THe 12 gauge slug was the most widely accepted. Down here in the southwest, we need a more powerful round, as the kill might be made at 250 yards or greater as soon as it would at 150. But up there? An all-around good deer cartridge I think.