I own a NEF/ H&R in 243 and love it, but you indicate that you do not like those guns. Several options come to mind they are:

cva optima elite
http://www.cva.com/rifles-optelite.html

Knight KP1
http://www.knightrifles.com/catalog.aspx?catid=kp1%20centerfire%20rifles

Remington SPR 18 http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/SPR_models/SPR18_specs.asp

Rossi Single Shot
http://www.rossiusa.com/whatsnew/rifles.cfm

all of the above look to be in the $400 range or less. Two options that I have not covered are the TC Encore and the Ruger #1, both are out of the 400 range (I think but you can always shop around for a good deal)