ya know i would kind of go the other way with a savage, rem 700, or howa.
then put a higher grade optic on it, upgraded stock, etc.
for a hunting rifle here in pa, any one of the above 3 is more than plenty to get the job done +1.
for $2,000 you can get a whole package (rifle, optic, base, rings, pod, sling, maybe enough room for an upgraded hunting profile stock) and still place rounds side by side out to 500Y if need be.
other than a bolt, it's pretty hard to beat a lever 35 rem or 30/30, or a .3006 rem pump in the pa woods though....sort of goes hand in hand.