I am in the market for a new 223. I have about a $600 budget for the rifle only. I just sold my Ruger American Predator cuz it was a POS and I couldn't get it to shoot worth a dam. So now I am looking for something that I can shoot paper with (something the barrel wont heat up quickly as my Ruger got 3 shots before accuracy went bad due to a hot barrel). But I am also looking for something that is light enough to carry around the woods and hunt with so I don't want a full blown bull barrel.

I think I have it narrowed down to the axis HB customized with an accutrigger and boyd thumbhole stock (both a must have for me). Or a model 25 walking varminter with a boyd stock.

What would you all pick and why? Or is there a better option out there for me?