If you are considering it for self-defense, get a semi-auto. You can buy a AR-15 kit for at $550 and get your dealer to order you a lower receiver (about $150). In less than 2 hours you will have a Combat serviceable AR-15. A good YUGO SKS can be purchased for less than $300 and the 7.62x39 is better than the AR-15 5.56.
If the rifle is for putting food on the table, then you cannot go wrong by buying a Savage bolt action rifle in .308.
The soviet M91 is cheap and accurate, but the trigger and the safety are horrible. Additionally, the cheap ammo is not designed for hunting and the hunting ammo for this rilfe is expensive.
Having said all of this, I will give you the advise that was given to me when I was 16: buy the rifle that you want, practise with it alot and ensure that you have all of the ammo that you will need. In the 70s, I used to hunt with an old man that his only rifle was an old 03 springfield (caliber 30-06). He rarely fired twice and if he did, the critter was moving very fast and was very small. I once watched him hit a rabbit at about 50 yards while the critter was being chased by dogs. Two shots (very fast) and all that was left over was a wet ball of fur.
I never thought I would see the day!
You have to stop listening to the wife :)
Dude, if you’re really a gun guy, you can NEVER have too many guns. Just lie down until the feeling passes.