Many would work fine but agree the 2506 or 270 win would be just fine.

As far as brand of rifle that is entirely up to you find the best fit, feel and of course features you want. Tikka is known for out of the box accuracy so hard to think you can go wrong here if you like what you see and feel. I havealways hadresults with rem 700 bdl's so can't see how this would be a poor choice either. Likewise their are others mentioned that would do the trick. Just get your hand s on as many as you can then pick the one that just feels right to you!

Scope - 3x9x40 and agree either the Burris FF II or Bushnell Elite 3200 would bea goodsuggestion for your budget. I have no experience with Simmons Aetec or Sightron but have also heard many good reports on these offering. Again I would also get my hands on these to compare as everybody seems to pick up little subtle difference with their own eye.

Best of luck.

I would go for a Ruger m-77 mk 2 in either 25/06 or 7mm-08 with a Leopuld vx-1 3/9/40 scope where I live this is about a 650.00-700.00 rig and well worth the money my favorite is the 7mm-08 with the Federal 140 gr. Nosler Partition load my last and biggest deer was taken at 303 laser confirmed yards the deer dropped dead in his tracks. and the 7mm-08 recoil is very manageable. I hope this helps chad