You may also wish to consider the Weatherby Vanguard in .223 or the Howa 1500..Basically the same rifle as they are made in the same factory. I load my vanguard with the 64 grain winchester pp bullets and I regularly use it to shoot midi clay birds at 300 yards. It is topped with a cheap 8x32x50 AO scope but it has a clear sight picture and it does the job. The trigger on the vanguard is fully adjustable..mine is set at 2lb 6 ounces.
I paid $390.00 for the weatherby out the door.