Well, I suppose a Winchester 52 is out of your price range (mine too) but there are some interesting old classics that can be found for well under $400. The previously mentioned Remington 512 is a fine little rifle. The earlier model 34 is also a good gun. Savage made the 23AA. It has a dual locking lug setup, with an opposing lug to the root of the bolt handle. It was strong enough to handle the 25-20, 32-20 and 22 hornet. I have one in 25-20 and one in 22 Hornet, along with my 22. They all shoot fine. The savage rifles in this series are unique because the barrel and receiver are one piece.
I tend to collect a lot of "anything but Winchester" because Remington's and others just don't get the respect from collectors like the Winchesters do. Hence, they are cheaper. And they are every bit as good, at least functionally.