Just don't set your accuracy expectations too high with a factory sporter weight rifle, because you'll probably be disappointed if you do. From a typical sub-$1000 sporter weight factory rifle the typical accuracy will be in the 1 to 2 MOA range with factory ammo. Under 1 MOA is great accuracy, under 3/4 MOA is outstanding even with handloads, but I wouldn't expect any better than that. If you happen to get a rifle and find a load that will shoot better than 1 MOA, it's a keeper for sure.

If you really want a genuine "tack driver" in that price bracket, you'd probably be better off looking at the heavier barrelled varmint/target models. These are usually going to be more accurate out of the box than a sporter weight rifle, and are usually built with accuracy as the primary concern.

You need to honestly evaluate the purpose of the rifle as well. Rifles chambered in .338 Win Mag designed for hunting big game at reasonable ranges, and the accuracy is sufficient for that purpose, with more emphasis on weight savings, reliability, etc... Consider that the kill zone on a typical (northern) whitetailed deer is roughly 8-10" (conservatively) across from broadside, and the typical range they are shot at is between 50-250 yards. That means that a rifle can shoot 4 MOA groups and still be accurate enough to hit the kill zone of a deer as long as the shooter does his part. Of course, 4 MOA is TERRIBLE for a modern bolt action rifle, and any rifle that shot that poorly should be sent back to the factory immediately with a stern letter demanding that they unf*** their POS rifle. But even if the rifle will shoot 2 MOA, it still gives the shooter 400 yards or so where he can reasonably expect to kill a deer. That being said, the .338's are usually not the first choice for most deer hunters, and are more generally used for larger game like elk, moose and bear, all of which have MUCH larger kill zones than even the biggest whitetails in the woods. A 2 MOA rifle is more than adequate for shots at 500+ yards on these larger animals.

To boil it down, anything less than 1 1/2 MOA from a big game rifle is just gravy. There's no such thing as "too accurate," but there is such a thing as an unreasonable expectation of accuracy.

Mike