25.06 is an easy round to shoot with flat trajectory and enough weight to bring deer down.
If hunting rifle--->Tikka T3 in 308
If sitting on a bench for precision--->Savage in 308 with a heavy barrel
I'm going to throw my vote towards the Tikka also. Guaranteed accuracy, slick bolt, decent synthetic stock, excellent trigger. I've got 2, a T3 Lite in 223 and a T3 Hunter in 6.5x55. Both are easily sub MOA, the 223 will do close to .5" if I do my part. Whittaker's over near Owensboro has some in stock starting at $560. Only fault I can find with the Tikkas is that spare magazines are rather expensive.
While that is a beautiful gun, I think it is way out of the budget listed.hosting images
Anschutz 1771 in .223
You must check out there line of Centerfire rifles.......if THEE name in Olympic quality small bore guns,now does centerfire, it's a done deal there awesome rifles
Aaron