In my experience most people who are looking for an "entry level" firearm are trying to determine whether or not they really want to persue hunting and/ or the shooting sports. Many fathers have found that their sons, who have begged to go to the woods, don't really like it once they get there.
Another observation that I have made is that with the abundance of aftermarket parts an entry level rifle can become a custom quite readily.As a matter of fact I have been hunting and shooting for well over 50yrs. and have in the last 10 years built seven custom or semi-custom rifles, all of which began as "entry level" rifles. All except one are Savage/Stevens platforms. The lone exception is a Ruger #3(the little brother to the #1) which is no longer made because of its "plain jane" appearence and low volume sales.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!