To me its either very high end rifles or PSA.  PSA is special.  Usually you get what you pay for but my current precision rig is a $180 PSA upper.  I dont know why but it agrees with a number of loads, even more so than $300 barrels I have.

I own/owned KAC, Colt, Bushmaster, PSA, Radical, DSA, DPMS, and likely others I can't recall.

PSA rifle, LaRue MBT, BCM extractor spring, and decent glass and you have what would have cost you $2,000 a few years ago for under $1,000.

I will also suggest either Ruger orS&W, I own both and they are very decent quality. The Ruger 556 has a really decent stock trigger.