I just read this article yesterday....http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/bargain-hunting-rifles. Author likes the Ruger for $300 new.

I went old school when buying my son his big boy hunting rifle and got him a Rem 700 from the early 70's. I paid $400 for that gun without glass. I didn't steal it but I thought the price was fair for an excellent condition and not very "used" gun.

If you don't reload it does seem that when you pay more for the ammo the groups get smaller.

160-185 grain for deer to elk