Right now, Dick's Sporting Goods has Rem 700 Stainless Synthetic ADL in .308 with a 24" barrel for $479 with a $30 rebate from Remington and a $20 Dicks Card. So that puts the rifle at $429 + tax as set of Talley UL Rings would set you back $30 and look for a used Leupold to put on top. If you can't swing the Leupold look through the Optics section to see what cameralandny has on sale.

"The mightiest oak was a small nut that held it's ground."