If $1500 is doable, a custom is well within your range. My .338WM started out as a naked action and cost me just over $1000 to build. My 6.5-06AI is a Krieger barreled custom and cost right at $1500.
Coyote Hunter - NRA Patriot Life, NRA Whittington Center Life, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!
No, I'm not a Ruger bigot - just an unabashed fan of their revolvers, M77's and #1's.
A good .30-06 is a 99% solution.
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