re: If you had $1,200 to spend on a deer rifle...UPDATE

Buy a lower end/less expensive gun and spend as much money on optics as possible. Can't shoot what you can't see.

One of the best shooting (accurate)guns I own is an old Savage Model 111. Had an 8 lb trigger pull when I bought it. Worked the trigger down to about 2.5 lbs and that thing is a freaking tack driver.

Hard to beat a Remington, IMO. So many guns/models are based off the 700 series/action. Great gun that won't break the bank. Optics, Optics, Optics.