I voted for $1,000. I am frugal and typically try to find bargains, particularly when shopping for hobby items. The rifle I hunted with this past season was a Marlin XL7 bolt action in .270 Win. that I purchased new a couple years ago for $259.00. I have mounted on it a Nitrex TR-1 3-9x40 scope that I ordered online for $99.99. I left my Winchester Ultimate Shadow Model 70 .270 WSM with Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 scope at home. The left at home combo would have broken my expensive level, even though I got a deal on the Zeiss ($279 on sale). I took the Marlin because it shoots better and is easier to pack than the Model 70. I also prefer it's trigger (similar to Savage's Accu-Trigger) to the Model 70.
I may try to upgrade the Marlin next season with a new Hogue stocked Ruger Hawkeye that I scored from CDNN for $449. I haven't gotten around to mounting a scope on it yet, but if I don't like it, I also grabbed a synthetic stock Hawkeye in .,308 Win at the same time and place for $499. I believe these Ruger Hawkeyes were solid bargains and I really need to get their scopes mounted and start working up loads, but at the same time am tempted to keep them new unfired as an investment, since Ruger has announced their production being discontinued since everyone seems to be buying the cheaper American Rifles.