Not sure what you're leaning towards now. You mentioned a 700vls in 22-250.
Look for an SPS Varmint. I bought one when they came out with a similar train of thought. Learn to shoot accurately and build from it as I grow. Eventually have the action work done and rebarreled and probably a 6-6.5 flavor. Kinda got out on the back burner and getting back to it now. That gun absolutely shoots out of the box with the crappy green plastic stock. When I was shooting regular 5 shot groups were covered by a dime. Had some ridiculous 1 ragged hole 3 shot groups. Groundhogs under 250 didn't stand much chance (not an easy task for most guys in PA lol). At my peak, I was nailing them out to 350. Biggest issue for me was my longest range was 200yds. I've since moved and have a 400yd range within a couple minutes and longer in the area...
The SPS Varmint can be found for under 500. I've seen a couple on here recently. I think a 22-250 and a 308 real recently. Good glass, trigger work or replaced, eventually a stock of your liking and you'll have a heck of a foundation.
