Re: best lightweight bolt guns for the money?
I have an issue of Shooting Times, comparing bolt action rifles under $500. They had the Marlin X7, Mossberg 100 ATR, Remington 770, Savage Axis, Thompson Center Venture, and a Weatherby Vanguard. To be honest, I'm not a fan of most of these rifles, but the Thompson Center scored the best out of all of them. I've heard many people say great things about T/C's, though I've never owned one.
As far as caliber goes, you said you were looking into the 6.5 - 7mm range. If it were me, I'd reccomend something in 7mm. I love my 260, it is an unbelievably accurate rifle, but jumping into the 7mm caliber will give you BC's as good as most 6.5's with more weight (168gr and up with 7mm, vs 142gr 6.5). Pushing 170grain+ pills, I would say a 7mm Remington Mag would be my choice. Although the .284 Winchester is probably just as good. 7mm-08 is an awesome round too, but for my taste, the Magnum case has all the ass you would ever need to push the 7mm as far, or fast, or as heavy as you would ever need.