Prefer the current Winchester M-70, Sako, and CZ rifles to cheaper ones. Weatherby is an acquired taste but good, too, if you like the styles. Their Vanguard, made by Howa, is a good value.
The Ruger M-77 is good, although early ones had barrels contracted out that sometimes gave mediocre accuracy, from what I've read. You can get a Mannlicher (Stutzen) stock in their International version.
The Remington M-700 is cheaply made by comparison, and bolt handles often change color, and the trigger safety issue exploited by NBC News is valid. Even the DESIGNER has testified that it is potentially unsafe. In examining used rifles, I've seen more rust on Remingtons than on any other brand. I suspect their steel formula is short on chrome. But many Remingtons are bought by casual hunters and "the public" as opposed to sophisticated rifle enthusiasts. Many of those used Rems may just not have received proper care. Somone using the rifles that I prefer is more likely to oil them!
For real value in a relatively inexpensive rifle, I think Savage looks good, and they get rave reviews. I've never seen one. Dealers here seem not to stock them.
For a classic if you have money and find a nice one, Mannlicher-Schonauer. But the bolt is slower to operate than the more modern designs, as it's a bit far forward.
'Scopes? Top quality is Zeiss and Swarovski. I've owned both and like them a great deal. Ignore people who demean them; they're probably dumping on them out of jealousy.
But Leupold probably offers top dollar value and they, too, are VERY good.
2X -7X or 3X-9X is plenty of power range, unless you want a varmint rifle, which a .30/06 is normally not.
