I think I'd go with a Savage, in either .223 or .308. I lean towards the .223, since you can load heavy bullets or light, and it'll shoot well with both extremes. The Accutriggers are pretty decent, and they have enough variations to make it hard to pick one (Remington does, too, and Remington's triggers are pretty good). I like the modular aspect of the Savages, though, I've had several, and all shot very well, and they are typically a good deal less costly than Remingtons, easier to rebarrel when you wear one out, etc. Savages aren't too pretty, but that VLP is pretty sweet. It all depends on what you want to shoot, I like .223s because I shoot Prairie Dogs, and they don't wear you out, doing it. Accumulative recoil from a .308 will beat you up at the end of a day's shooting. There are other chamberings, of course, but those are probably best for beginning handloaders.