RE: new gun
You could buy an M-1 Garand from the government for under $100 if you get one that's a bit used, I think a nice one would cost almost $240 or something, if you want to check it out, go to a U.S. Army armory, and they should have them there.
BTW the M-1 Garand is a 30-06, but it shoots a specific grain only.