Alsatian,
I understand. Good luck. My suggestion would be the local newspaper. Pawnshops used to be a good place to pick up a rifle cheap, but they've gotten as bad as some gun shops these days. All the old surplus military rifles are in demand for customs because of the state of manufacturing these days. Maybe a Savage package rifle. The scope is garbage but the Whole package can be had for under 400 at your local Wally world.