If you have access to a competent gunsmith for any purchase of a used firearm, that's always a good thing but I take issue with the advice on caliber and action of the rifle. For a novice or less experienced shooter it is going to depend heavily on the intended use. Gathering meat would be the primary duty for the calibers you advised and secondarily of course is the ummm long range self defense or area security role. But for self defense and hunting combined, I'd be more apt to recommend a good lever action carbine in .30-30. Light, fairly fast to operate, rugged, accurate and multidimensional. Also a higher magazine capacity than most bolt guns. Easier (especially in terms of cost) to feed in just about every way. If the anticipated role is strictly defensive then you can't do any better than the classic AR platform in 5.56mm x 45.
I can find no error in your criticism of my advice, friend. Have you seen some of the rail systems available for the venerable lever action that are available now?