Of course, you probably won't go wrong with any used, name-brand rifle so long as it was not abused. Avoid older Rugers (bad barrels), but the newer ones are great.
As a general rule, you are looking a three things in a rifle:
1) It fits you. It should balence well, and feel steady in your hands. It should place your eye right in line with your sights or scope when you aim it. The trigger reach should be correct for you, and the safety should be in a handy place.
2) The trigger must break cleanly. Note that some triggers (such as the Rem 700) can be inexpensivly adjusted by any good gunsmith.
3) The saftey and sling swivels on a hunting arm must be silent.
If you want a good book on the topic, try Cooper's Art Of The Rifle.
Good luck!
I do have personal experience with it and it is a steal. For about 800.00 total I have a rifle that will group quarter sized and under consistently at 100 yards with 180gr 30-06. Mine is a left handed bolt action so that added about 100.00 to it.
What I did.
Stock rifle
Trigger job at the gunsmith's 3# trigger pull
One stock Tasco sniper scope (mil dot) 8x32x40.
Works like a champ and I'll put it up against anything else someone can tote for under 2000.00.