Well its done. I've gone and committed to a Rem700 308 Stainless synthetic BDL with a Nikko Sterling 6-24 on top for $800. I missed a couple of others that may or may not have been as good. I will enlighten you all further after I have thrown a few rounds through it.
Also at the same time I bought a .22 Henry L/A for my left handed 16 year old daughter to use.
The 2 boys 14 & 12 are about 6 weeks off getting their junior permits so the competition in our family is about to hot up.
Thanks again for all your words of wisdom,
Roimon13