You can get a danged good barrel for less than $100 from several barrel makers. Look in the want adds in the back of Muzzleblasts. I am building a rifle right now and all the parts cost just slightly over $300. Look at the parts available from Jim Chambers, Track of the Wolf, October Country, and Green Mountain, Ed Rayle, Colerain, and some other makers of parts. Its cheaper than you might think. Siler lock kit is about $55, a good barrel is about $100, Davis triggers about $35, precarved stock about $125 a butplate, sideplate, ramrod pipes and a set of sights around $40 and youre in business.