Have you looked into a .300 wsm??? I own a Savage 16f ss with a Leupold VX II. Supremely accurate and the recoil (imo) is the same as a 30.06. The .300wsm provides a great medium between the '06 and the .300 mag. I paid right at $625 for my set-up complete! Look at a Savage for accuracy and price!!!!

Glob!!!!!!!!!!