[Tailback]

I bought a M700 PSS a couple years ago and it was only $725 You can get the M700 VS which is the exact same rifle with a different version HS Precision stock for even less than that. Optics will be what takes him over budget though.

[45Auto]

The Remington 700 is pretty good right out of the box. I was so impressed with the little Model 700 LTR in .223, that I aquired one in .308 as well. The thing has a short barrel, 20 inches, but will shoot 1" at 100 yards and sometimes, with the right loads, under the right conditions, 1/2 inch with consistency. Part of it, in my opinion, is the H and S Precision stock with its aluminum bedding block. I installed a Jewell 2 ounce trigger in the LTR and I was impressed with the nature of the action-to-bedding-block fit. It shouldn't work, but it does. I have professional pillar/glass bedding in my benchrest guns, but for the money, the H and S stock is good for half inch five-shot groups with the right ammo.

[patton]

Optics over budget - I could live with that...