Some of my thoughts on the milsurp route. Just my thoughts and may not be completely true. I understand there are always exceptions to just about every rule.
1) More bang for the buck, so to speak. I think for the same dollars you get more rifle with a milsurp than a factory new rifle.
2) Most modern rifles have to have iron sights added at another cost. Probably not so expensive, but it is another cost.
3) I just think the old milsurps are cool. (Ok, I am not completely rational with this...)
4) I do like synthetic and laminate stocks for this rifle which is making it a little hard to go 100% the milsurp route.
I am definitely considering the American Rifle and the Ruger Gunsite Scout (even thought it is approaching twice what I want to spend on this) and some of the used bolt action hunting rifles out there now.
In my mind, just from observing and this could be out in left-field somewhere, but I just get a sense that things made these days are not made to last like they were at one time. I understand technology has made things easier to produce better, but I get a sense this technology is mainly being made to make things cheaper and faster, not always better. Of course there are many exceptions to this rule. And, I am not entirely convinced if guns are or not, but this is my gut feeling on it.