I disagree about staying away from the Savages.....I have a Savage Axis XP Camo Rifle in a .223 with the Bushnell 3x9x40mm scope and it's a great Gun to start out with or simply have as a good reasonably priced Rifle.Mine cost around $365.00 total on sale,the plain black synthetic Savage Axis would cost even less and there's several Calibers to choose from!

I also own the more expensive Savage model 11 GCNS wood stock with the Accu-Trigger in a 7mm-08 that cost around $600.00 plus I added a nice Leupold Rifleman matte black 3x9x40mm scope and Camo rifle sling!

As mentioned the Ruger American is another affordable Entry Level Rifle and it has the adjustable trigger,You can add the price of a good scope and sling to it as You get a little spare cash.I've seen these Rifles run in price from $319.00 to $399.00 depending on who has them and if You catch them on sale?