I have a T/C Omega and a Traditions Pusuit Lt. Both are 150gr. capable but I shoot 80 to 100gr with a 348gr. Powerbelt and can shoot completely through a 600lb. Elk if it does not hit a lot of bone. I just looked at a CVA Kodiak which is a copy of the Omega and WalMart had one with a camo stock for $269. It looked pretty good to me. The cheaper rifles (Traditions Pursuit for instance) usually have worse triggers and a few other things that you have to deal with. It shoots with accuracy almost as well as the Omega. If you are going to shoot at 100 yards or more I would look for the longer barrel rifles (they usually call them magnums). Personally I don't think you have to buy a $500 rifle to shoot well. Just spend a little time looking at things like the trigger crispness and pull weight and convenience of operation. I don't think the bolt rifles have anything to offer as they use up a lot of length that can be put into the barrel with a falling block or break action rifle.