I started out shooting 3gun with a bone stock M&P rifle and a red dot. Over the last 2 years, piece by piece, I have upgraded almost every part on it, but still within a budget. While I don't expect to win a major match with it anytime soon, I feel I shoot competitive enough to have fun with it. I say for $1K, including optic, a rifle can be built that will more than meet the needs of most of our shooting abilities.