Not sure if your after a military style weapon or something more sporting w/ an aim to improve current abilties. Not long ago i decided to sort of do a poor mans M14. At the time thought it would be a fun idea. Didn't really add much, anyway got a Remington auto (either 742 or 7400 works). Was of the same ideolgy as you on the 308 round instead of 30-06. Mounted a red dot which I interchange with a scope and added a 10 shot clip. The gun can be had used b/w 300-375. Accuracy is great and only limitation is the 10-shot clip, still sporting wood stocks but there are syn after markets.
Don't know if this will be any help to what your after.
Don't know if this will be any help to what your after.