In your case I would get the stainless then, especially with your budget. And there is no such thing as having to high of a budget for a rifle. If you can afford it get it. There are some great deals if your broke, but if you can afford something nicer why not? You could probably get a really nice set up for closer to a grand though. Like a nice Savage 16, 116 for 5 or 6 hundred and another 3 or 4 hundred for a really nice 3-9 hunting scope and quality rings. That kind of money puts you into the upper end Bushnells, Nikons or even possibly a Zeiss Conquest.

Paul