For wood, I like Boyds. $109 without checkering is a good start in my book... then pillar and bed.
$50(?) more with checkering.
For hunting, I would DEFINATELY recommend Apache. He'll do you well. Put your money into the scope.
There's no reason you can't make a FINE hunter for under $1,000 or $1,500 with top of the line hunting scope. Depending upon where you hunt, I think 6.5x on low end is too much power. I like to keep mine at 3x or less and raise to 10 or more only if needed. My rationale is, if he's close, you need the low power, and QUICK! If he's 200-300 yards out (or more), you have plenty of time to crank it up.
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