Chuckling here as I see so many of my own memories in your post.
What you want for your budget cannot be measured in fit and finish, lightness, or accuracy. Figure out what it can be measured in and buy it.
One day two or three decades ago I wandered among the vendors at a 'large' outdoors expo event at the State Fair Grounds in Raleigh, NC. There was a gentleman sitting among his custom rifles, and my impression was that he knew how to sell them, but that his deeper talent was in making them. I picked up one off the rack.
The experience was something like Oh my God and it was created by a rifle not merely light but perfect. It must have shown on my face because he smiled.
There was a balance and execution to the whole requiring a deep gift of the maker, and a belief similar to mine of what a complete rifle should be. The man was, of course, Melvin Forbes. In a lifetime of shouldering rifles, it is the only time I have ever felt that way.
So I have 'figured it out' for myself, and revealed all prejudice.
I do not entertain hypotheticals. The world itself is vexing enough. -- Col. Stonehill
