30-06 Hunting Rifle

So I've not too recently moved out of one of those bass-ackwards states that require you to hunt deer with a slug gun and so I am on a search for a decent rifle.

I've already researched the caliber and am pretty set on 30-06 for a few reasons. I'd like to be able to humanely take elk at 200+ yards and I want the round to be fairly cheap. From what I've seen 30-06 cartridges cost about the same as .308 and .270 and you get a bit more takedown power at comparable ranges. The slight difference that the .308 might be more accurate doesn't concern me. I am open to other caliber considerations, but I don't want to make that the focus of this thread.


Gotta haves:
Price: Less than $450 (I would really like to find an awesome clearance, coupon or sale)
Decent accuracy out of box (I don't want to have to modify the gun for it to shoot 1 MOA)
Packaged with a reasonable scope or a good deal on scope and gun within my price limit.
Standard barrel length for the caliber I believe that's 22" for a 30-06. (I don't want something too short that it reduces the bullet velocity or something too heavy that I can't carry it around all day while hiking up and down mountains)


Nice to haves:
Composite stock and stainless barrel
Upgraded trigger for that particular manufacturer.


This will be my first rifle. Its primary purpose will be for hunting. I plan to hunt mainly deer (mule, pronghorn) but I will occasionally hunt elk and who knows what the future will bring. At this point I am currently just thinking new, unless anyone knows a good way that I can thoroughly test a used gun before committing to the purchase.


Lower cost rifles that seem to have favorable reviews from what I've read are:
Remington 700
Savage 110/111
Savage Axis


I'm definitely open to other brands and models, especially those that are normally more expensive, like: Marlin, Weatherby, Browning, CZ, Thompson, Ruger, Winchester, etc if there is a good deal. Well, any help is appreciated, and I hope others find this thread useful as well.

Planned purchase time frame: sometime in December 2012 or later.

Remington 700 - I have one in 30-06 and it has been used for Deer/Elk with no problems. Cheap Tasco scope almost never has to be adjusted. Never takes more than 1 shot.