like you, I also went entry level. not sure if I would be interested, so I didn't want to spend a whole lot. I bought a traditions e-bolt 209 50 cal. Shoots good (1 1/4 inches at 100 yds), but takes the rest of my day to tear down and clean!!!! and the blowback is so severe, it's starting to eat away at my scope. Honestly, save your money, and look for a better quality gun. t/c, and knight get my nod, having first hand experience shooting them at my range. for a couple hundred bucks more, you'll find a gun you like, is accurate, easy to clean and you'll keep for years. I'm not into "brand bashing" but even the higher end tradition guns have severe blowback. I would shy away from them if I were you.