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You might want to check out http://www.samplelist.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. They are mostly trade ins and demos, but you can get good bit better glass for your money that way.
The Ruger American is a great rifle. American made too. That said as has already been suggested I would highly recommend looking at a Savage. For the money its pretty hard to beat the stock trigger on them.
Whichever direction you choose, I wish you the best of luck. Its almost impossible to get the best quality of anything on a budget, buy the best you can afford though, it will serve you well into the future.