Check out the Savage, I love my 10fp in .223
Go to www.savageshooters.com lots of good info and good ppl over there
The nice thing about the savage is you can change the barrel yourself if you get tired of the caliber
Get the Remington 700. Tons of available upgrades. Buy a bare bones SPS and if and when you get the time, interest and cash, upgrade the stock and what ever else tickles your fancy.
Savages- Very good barrels. Personally I could never get warmed up to their actions and that Glock looking trigger. But they do shoot.
I'm going to second (or third, or fourth, etc.) the Remington 700 SPS Varmint. If I had the money, I would have bought my dad's myself, instead of selling it on here.
i just picked up a tc venture in 243. i think it comes in 223. rifle feels great and has adjustable trigger. sub moa garentee and cost 460 to my door before the 25 dollar mail in rebate. i just got it yesterday and haven't shot it yet but am hoping to soon
Remington 700 LTR is my fave. Picked one up a few years ago and wouldn't trade it for anything.
If you're on a budget I had a Stevens model 200 pass through my hands that seemed like a very good value. Made by Savage and doesn't offer their Accu-Trigger, but still looked like an excellent truck gun to me for the money.
I have never fired the Remington. I have fingered the heck outta one though. I was at a crossroads between the Remington and Savage. The Savage was IMO better built, and smoother. Oh and much cheaper. My Savage is Boooooring though.... shooting the same hole over and over. It does save paper though. I could have bought either, without shooting either, and came out with the Savage. I could be wrong, but I love mine and I saved some $$.
There are many that are worthy. Several have been mentioned. I have owned and would recommend Savage, Remington 700, Tikka, and I've personally had good luck with Ruger. CZ's are sweeties, but rather expensive. I would also never shy away from any of the above in used condition.
Howa and Weatherby (same maker) also shoot very well and are generally fairly inexpensive.