For affordable, I'd go a Rem M700 in ADL config, buy a Bell/Carlson Ti stock (Stocky's for ~$200). Sell the original stock for $35-50, put Talleys lightweights on it and a Leupold 2-7 VX II. You'll be ~ 7.5 lbs and out ~ $800-850 if you buy the gun used. You could save a few extra bucks and buy everything except the Talley's used and save a bit more. I'd also bet you get close to 7.5 lbs with an M70 Classic as well but will cost you an extra $1-150 to acquire the M70 and another $200 for a McM Edge.
Or a Kimber LA does have some appeal. My Kimber Montana in 300 WSM weighed 6lb 15 oz with 3-9x40 Leupie. You'll be out ~ $1250-1300.
A lightweight 30-06 do have much appeal. If it was me, I wouldn't chase the last couple of ounces. Anything under 7.5 lbs gets expensive quick - getting to 7.5 isn't all that hard. If you're worried about 3-4 ounces, buy yourself a postal scale and weigh everything you "normally" carry with you. I guarantee you can trim more than 3-4 ounces once you assemble and weigh the pile of stuff you take.
Depending on your recoil tolerance, the 30-06 is rather mild mannered but when you get under 7lbs and shoot full power 180's, recoil is much more noticeable. I have an M70 in stock config but with Talleys and 3-9 Leupie on it. It weighs right at 8lbs. 180's at 2800 to 2850 are noticeable but certainly not objectionable. My 7lb 300 WSM was uncomfortable to me. My current 300 SAUM at 7.5 lbs isn't objectionable but you need to have good shooting form or it will bite you with full power 180's (2950 ft/sec). For me, I've settled on 7.5 to 8.0 as a good compromise between portability and shootability - bench and field.
