He could step up to a Rem 783 in .308 Win, the Varmint version. 26" heavy barrel, great trigger that's actually adjustable (and doesn't suck, for a Rem factory trigger). It actually has a real, detachable magazine, so no top-loading - just change mags. MSRP is $637.50, street price should be lower. Step down to that Primary Arms 4-14x44 mildot scope at MSRP $229, like in the MAC vids above, done. Throw in those same Warne Maxima rings. Under a grand. The gun will do it - that's the same setup on my .243 Win. I went Athlon on the 4-14x44 scope, so I'd have a badass illuminated reticle, so the scope was $300 street, instead of $229 MSRP.
Here's the gun:
https://www.remington.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-783/model-783-varmint
Here's the scope:
https://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-4-14x44mm-riflescope-mil-dot-pa4-14xffp
Here's the Athlon version of it, with the GREAT illuminated reticle:
https://athlonoptics.com/product/rifle-scopes-talos-btr-4-14x44-aplr-ffp-ir-mil/
IF THE OP IS LOOKING TO DO THIS WITH A .308AR, AND GO OUT TO 1K YARDS, THEN IT'S NEVER GONNA HAPPEN. HE'LL HAVE A BOX-OF-SHIIT BUDGET RIFLE THAT WILL NEVER BE UP TO THE TASK... THE BARREL WILL BE A BUDGET BARREL, AND SUCK - THE TRIGGER WILL SUCK... JUST WON'T HAPPEN...
My $0.02...