re: Rifle advice in budget 308

Buy a .308. It’s a nearly perfect all around North American caliber except for grizzly bears. Look at the Bergaras and Tikas, too. They get high marks for accuracy and their finishing beats the ones you listed (at least from the ones I’ve held).

If you want to go out west to shoot elk, get another gun and scope, though a .308 will work at the right ranges, with the right bullets, with the right placement. Though I’d opt for a 300 WM or 338 WM.