If you're looking for a good bolt-action gun, a Mosin-Nagant would be good and cheap, find a Finnish one, not to mention you can get some practise ammo, about 440 rounds for 89.95 at aimsurplus.com (7.62x54R).
IMHO, I prefer the 8mm mauser (German or other wise) or the M1917 Enfield in 30-06...