Based on the advice so far it seems to me that my preferences and the basic requirements for what I want to do meet up with the principal autoloader offerings from any of the main manufacturers. If I stick with a synthetic stock I can buy new within my budget from Mossberg, Weatherby, Remington, etc. Maybe also Beretta or other Italian makers, but it appears those choices would cost more. That could possibly be fixed by buying used.
So maybe what I will do is scout the used market first to see what I can turn up. If no luck there, I can always fall back on the new offerings within my budget.
Thanks to all.