That's a HUGE scope for that little rifle....thought of a 4X Leupold?
A Rem 700, or one of it's variants is the LAST rifle I would pick for reliability.....a Ruger M77 Mark II or Hawkeye or a Model 70 would be the most commonly available new rifle I would consider.
A stainless 308 or 30-06 with a 2.5-8X Leupold would be my pick.
Beginning to think this might be my version........
Remington 600 Mohawk......308 Win.....1.5-6x42 Sightron SSII