I voted prior to reading, oops. I picked $1000 because I think I need, or even want a rifle, that costs more than that. But I know, at this point, that good glass is expensive. You don't need to spend $3000 on a scope to get great optics, but with a $800-$900 rifle plus a $600-$1000 scope, you're way over $1k. So realistically, I wouldn't spend over $2000 on rifle, scope, mags, stock. In fact I just picked up my buddy's used MVP LC for $1000. Thought it was the scope package, but he had just put a $200 diamondback on it. No slouch, but I would rather the 4-16x44Vortex in the package, since I would like this to be a 1000yd/m rifle for me.