I just purchased a Browning X bolt Stainless Stalker and topped it with a Leupold VX-3 3.5-10x50 rifle scope which would fit your budget criteria. Very happy thus far. I did purchase mine for big game hunting and not target shooting though.
Just got a Remington 770 .308 w/scope for Black Friday at Gander Mountain for $299.99, plus a buy one get one free Allen camo gun case for $18. One for my rifle, and one for a future shotgun.
You mean the 770 does not nearly have the aftermarket the 700 does?
I understand that, the 770 is an entry level rifle after all. I did check out a 700D in black synthetic as well, but it didn't look or feel all that much better to me then the 770 I got, plus it came with a Bushnell scope and was considerably cheaper as a Black Friday special.
I've never hunted or fired a gun like this before, but I couldn't pass up the deal. Now I got one in case I ever get to tag along on a hunting trip.