One .300 Magnum, two .308s, and three .30-06s here. I can kind of understand why one might want a .30-06.

One of your first sources of frustration will be that everyone who's ever made a standard-length bolt-action rifle likely chambers it in .30-06. Along with that, every trim level known to mankind.

I own four M700s, from late 1970s-vintage all the way up to last year. Not a complaint from me about any of them. The latest version is, I feel, the most accurate of the bunch (700 LTR).

I also own a number of CZ550s. Although I've always liked Ruger M77s, I've always had some kind of accuracy issue with them. I think Remington's taken their M798 out of the line, so if I were looking for a solid, Mauser-action rifle, I think I'd still have to lean to CZ.

I don't own a Savage centerfire rifle, so I can't really speak anything good or bad of them. They're popular, and they're economical. That accu-trigger thing looks like a solution to a problem that shouldn't exist in the first place, at least to me.

Value-wise though, I'd recommend the Weatherby Vanguard. The one I own is well-made, accurate, and it's the cheapest centerfire I own. While mine's chambered in .300 Weatherby, I wouldn't hesitate looking at one in .30-06. A number of grades of wood, as well as the ubiquitous synthetic stocks are all available. It looks like Weatherby's website is listing these at MSRP of $599 now, so they've gone up a bit in the last couple of years, but I think I'd prefer the Vanguard over a M700 SPS at the same price point.

What you save on the rifle - spend on upgrading the glass you plan to top it with.