My preference is for hitting the used rifle racks.
Ruger M77 Mk II. (Any variant.)
Solid rifles. Good barrels (and the later the production, the better it gets).
Downside: A bit heavier than most competing rifles -- especially the laminate models.
Used rack alternatives that fit my preferences...
Win M70. -- Some bad years, some good years. Research it, if interested.
Sporterized Mausers. -- They often sell for pennies, but many are great rifles that just aren't loved by the current generation(s) of shooters. If it looks good and looks professionally done, it's probably a good rifle.
Remington 78 Sportsman. -- "Budget model" Rem 700. Same gun. Cheaper finish, and super-cheap stocks (they look like 2x4s). Every one I've ever heard anyone talk about has been a great rifle.
Tikka and Howa are good for new production.
The Ruger American is decent, but I don't like the magazine and it's a 'consumer commodity' type budget rifle. (The magazine is a minor issue, apparently, since I own an American.
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The Ruger M77 Hawkeye is pretty decent, as well. But I'm still holding a grudge against Ruger for replacing the M77 Mk II with the Hawkeye (solely because they found cheaper ways to manufacture it).
I do not recommend the Remington 783, as it's a direct descendant - nearly a copy, and sharing several components - of the Marlin X7. Both rifles have issues with extractors breaking or popping out of the bolt, and the 783 seems to have issues with ejectors getting stuck in the bolt head. Extractors popping out is bad. It results in the bolt getting jammed closed, more often than not. Ejectors getting stuck mean that the case doesn't eject, and you rechamber an empty case (or jam the rifle). Neither failure is great when hunting...
I know I missed plenty, but that's what comes to mind right now.