Spingfield M1A, 18” barrel. “Always shoot a large man, with a large caliber bullet”.
You mention the Springfield. Also in my price range. I really like the SOCOMs. My only aversion is they're not battle-tested. We fielded this rifle for a few years in 'Nam and then scrapped it for the "Made by Mattel" M-16.
Are they reliable or not? I dunno.
Badass f'in weapon, though.