Cabelas has both the Savage 10T and the 12FV in .308 under your budget price. Both are very accurate, (I have a 10T and my son has the 12FV) , but both have heavy barrels. The 10T is currently on sale for $499 and is a bargain, unless you don't want to tote around an 11 pound rifle and sling combo. It is also now offered in 6.5 Creedmore, which is very tempting....
But if you want a sporter weight rifle, you could do worse than the Weatherby Vanguard, although it is heavier than some other models. Cabelas has that one on sale with a Leupold VX-2 package deal for $799.99, which is a deal, too.
And no, I don't work for Cabelas, but they do offer some very good deals on occasion. Hope they still will once Bass Pro acquires them.