not sure if this will help, but the Sept 2005 issue of Rifle: Sporting Firearms Journal, available at Walmart profiles a test between the Stevens 200 ( a pre accutrigger Savage copy), the Remington 710, both in 30-06 and the MOssberg ATI in .270. Pretty good article.

according to the author, they all shot great (1.5" or under) but the Mossberg in 270 shut in at 3/4". At Walmart that rifle ( in North Texas) is $244, and you could get a Nikon ProStaff for $129 or a Nikon Buckmaster for $199, and that would be just under $500 or less for rifle and scope. a tad more than that Savage, but again another option, to each th eir own

the Mossberg comes with scope bases mounted, and I'd get a set of Leupold PRW rings myself. actually..thinking of going there tomorrow after we pay bills