Bud's has Vanguard2 Weatherguard finished Carbines in 308 for around $575. I took one in 7mm-08 in trade within the past couple of months and have been pretty impressed with how handy it is, sort of a 21st Century revised reincarnation of the much beloved (in retrospect) Remington 660. Bud's part # 719015449.
You could get the regular blued CM V2 Carbine for around $530, part # 78949, or the Howa 1500 for around $480, part # 16276. Despite the nearly identical barreled actions, I like the V2 better than the Howa 1500 because the V2 stocks fit me much better than the chunky Hogue stocks.
For another couple hundred $$ you could install a Leupold VX2 2-7x33 or 3-9x40 in the mounts of your choice and come in really close to your $750 target.
www.budsgunshop.com
