I would buy one of Melvin's rifles used. 260 or 7 08. There is no reason in the world for a magnum with the OP's original specs, or even for a long action caliber. And many reasons not to.

That's if I were committed to spending the whole $, which won't happen with the T3.

I do not entertain hypotheticals. The world itself is vexing enough. -- Col. Stonehill