bluetoper: I have 3 bolt action HD barreled 223 Varmint rifles, that shoot extremely well, 3/4 of an inch or less, at a 100yds. And I bought all three of them used.
1. A Remington 700 HD in 223
2. A Savage 110 HD in 223
3. A CZ 527 Varminter HD in 223
I bought all three of them from $ 300.00 to 450.00 a piece including rings , mounts, and scopes. Check the Pawn Shops, LGS, Estate Sales, Want adds in the paper. You might be surprised just what you can find, if you can handle buying ((( USED ))). But if you have to have a new rifle, I would expect the Savage would be the cheapest. And every one of the Savage Bolt Guns my Son and I have are first class shooters and we have never had any type of problems with any of them.
ken