I'm going to suggest that you get a 'decent' rifle and a 'good' scope. I like the (Savage) Stevens 200 for the money - if you wish to take a 'step up' the Savage upgrade has a better trigger ('Accu-Trigger, worth the money if you can swing it) Note that these are available in left hand models, not every gun is.
If you're hunting deer in KS/MO, I'll suggest the .243, it shoots flat, it's enough gun for our white tails with the right load, but it's not so much it'll beat your shoulder up as you practice. If you plan to hunt other, bigger game, the .308 would be my suggested 'step up', or the 6.5x55 'Swede'. There are plenty of other good calibers, these are some of my faves.
Scopes - I happen to like Bushnell's 'upgraded' models and Burris, YMMV. Be aware that the scope makers change factories often, so last years 'good' model may suck now. Go look thru some. Everyone's eye is different. I'll also suggest thinking about a good single power scope instead of a multi power like a 3x9. I put good 4x scopes on a lot of 'brush' rifles, you can pop a Bushnell Elite 10x on for plains hunts. Good glass, esp. for hunters like me who set the danged multi and leave it alone for years.
If you haven't practiced w/a rifle a lot, buy a good Savage .22 and go put a few thousand rounds thru it. Your eye will thank you.
muelleroptics.com/ - some good scopes for the money
Savage Mark II FVSR A good .22
Stevens 200
A good bargain rifle
Model 10 'package' gun
You can see the 'accu-trigger' on some of these models. It lets you take up 'slack' in the trigger, so when the gun goes 'bang' it's a surprise. I really like 'em. I will also say that there are prettier rifles than these Savage/Stevens guns. But I sure seem to shoot 'em better than most of the pretty-boys.