Among the truly budget rifles, IMHO the Ruger American wins. It's only Achilles heel is the magazine design. The latch is a plastic spring and my buddy took one prairie dog hunting and after 300 rounds it snapped. The next year with a new mag, about the same thing. But for a truck gun that sees typical hunting volume I wouldn't be fazed. I was really, REALLY impressed with the accuracy of the samples I've seen and the lack of copper fouling. I hate Remington factory barrels because most I have seen foul like crazy.
I put the Savage 10/11 as my next choice because if you so desire you can upgrade them into a truly accurate and premium rifle over time.