Personally if I was in the market for an inexpensive rifle, I would look for a JC Higgins Model 50, which was a Belgian FN Mauser action. They seem to pop up here and there, and at reasonable prices.
Another option is the Ithica imported Tikka LSA 55 (short action) and 65 (long action). These were produced by Tikka prior to their merger with Sako, and are superb rifles. They are not expensive and I have yet to see one that was not a shooter.
Either will last a couple generations (at a minimum) and have more pride in ownership than some of the economy junk they are putting out these days.
