Exactly. And that's the beauty of Dollar Cost Averaging! Start with my conservative outline, and in future years, you can increase to two a month.
Still, to get started, I like the 03-A3, largely because the CMP has lots of good ammo at good prices. Also it has good sights. But it depends on finding a nice shooter at a good price.
You might get a Lee Enfield for less, but ammo is costly. Also the sights aren't adjustable for windage. When you get your first No4 Mk1, get the click-adjustable ladder sight if you can.
The K98 Mauser will be the most versatile, good for Eastern and Western Front matches. Ammo is more expensive though, and the sights are not great. The Mauser will probably shoot way high at 100 yards, too.
When you get your first Garand from the CMP, take a look at the Field Grades. From what I hear, many are quite nice, and with the money you save, you can get your first 91/30.
Anyway, someone at your club can tell you how to qualify for CMP sales (sounds like you already have your qualifications about covered), and you can start taking immediate advantage of the ammo sales, even if you can't get your first Garand until after Thanksgiving. That's assuming you get a Springfield, for the sake of the ammo.
http://www.thecmp.org/ammosales.htm
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