take a look at the browning a-bolt series firearms.

i used to be a remington man. but once i bought my first a-bolt i never turned back. also look into the savage rifles. some say they look ugly. but are you gonna impress a deer ( or whatever game you hunt ) in the woods with your gun?
i have had awsome luck with both. great shooters out of the box. my a-bolt medallion is top of the line but they have other less expensive models like the hunter series and others.