Solid budget rifle

[Cersox]

Sitrep:

I am a broke 19 year old with a love of guns and hunting. The issue I'm having is that I need a rifle that uses a common caliber (I was thinking .308 or .223), an affordable caliber, semi-automatic (if possible), and is less than $600 (new if possible). I'd rather have a rifle that I can hunt deer with, but a target rifle is fine too. I understand that deer can be hunted using a shotgun with 00-buck, I just like rifles better. Anybody have a recommendation based on personal experience?

Thanks, Cersox

P.S.

If it can double as home defense\shtf, you get bonus points.