First off, do not be put off by the MSRP prices quoted on their site. You can probably get most of those rifles for between 2/3 to 3/4 of MSRP with a little searching.
You want something in the "12 Series Varmint" category, or the "Law Enforcement series", or the "Target Rifle Series". The 12 series are very good rifles. I believe they all use the 2 1/2# version of the Accu-trigger.
The Law Enforcement series, use the 1 1/2# Accu-trigger. And the Target series use the Target actions with the 8 oz. Accu-trigger. Browse within those categories till you find what turns your crank, then look for real-world prices on the net.
Also, specialty retailers such as Cabela's and Dick's offer models that are not listed on the Savage site. They are not inferior in any way, just models with feature combinations spec'ed out by the retailers. In fact, I was in a Dick's sporting goods store yesterday and saw a model that pretty well fit your criteria, except that the one they had on hand was a .308. I don't know if it's offered in .223, but it'd be worth checking. It had a synthetic stock in digital camo, with a nice wide flat forend, carbon steel action and fluted barrel painted black, and what appeared to be a LE series action with the desirable top-bolt release, and the quality steel bottom metal and detachable magazine. It was priced at $749. I didn't know this combo existed, and I probably would have bought it if my son hadn't reminded me that I have more guns than I have time to shoot, or even finish, already. Kids...
Edit: I just checked Dick's website and the model I mentioned is only listed in .308. Pity.
Here's one to look closely at:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Savag...Tz_stype%3DGNU
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