My personal preference is bronze wound medium gauge. (Generally .013 - .056) You can go lighter, but I find lighter gauge has a thinner sound and they break more easily. That's a personal thing, though. At some point you should at least try a set of light strings.
IF your guitar has an adjustable bridge, you could try tweaking it a bit. I would take it down to the point I get string buzz, then raise it until it's gone. Remember to loosen your strings well between adjustments.
There is a lot more to set up than that, like neck adjustment, and nut height which you might want to consult a professional for. But, if you are lucky enough to have an adjustable bridge, it ain't rocket science to drop those strings a bit. :)
...so ever since then, I always hang on to the buckle.