I jumped in!
Found and bought a used savage series 12 in .308. Not exactly sure what variant it is(pretty sure its a 12bvss), but it has a laminated wood stock, stainless barrel with light fluting. I stopped in one shop they had just got more .308 ammo in stock, so I bought that...then I went to another shop, and there the rifle was along with a shelf full of .308 ammo...I took it as a sign that it was time to buy.