Banjoman2255;
I'll strongly second the above suggestion for a Tikka T3 in .30-06. Fine gun, fine cartridge. I've got a lot of Nikon glass, but I tend to buy the Monarchs, which would put the rig over your budget. I also have several Leupolds, but again, am somewhat upscale from the rifleman & VX-1. I'm sure either of the brands will do you fine. Either's low-end scopes will still surpass the absolute best your daddy could buy back when. Nice thing about the Tikka is that it'll come with a set of rings.
I don't know if you handload or not, but with proper load development, a Tikka in .30-06 will shoot very, very, well indeed.
900F