CK.......I feel your pain......I've been looking at used 336's around the E. Tennessee area for a couple of years now.......the day's of getting one for $100 are over.........Most well worn 336's that I've seen have been priced around $200.......I offered $150 for a well worn .35 Remington a month or so ago and got it...........However, background check and the governors part got it up there to $178, so it still wasn't a steal..........
I've seen some really nice older 336's priced at $285 and up..........
Before you buy a walmart rilfe, check and see if it's got a Walnut stock......I think most of the walmart guns come with a "hardwood" stock....probably birch.......
? Don't know if that matters to you, but I like Walnut.........
I've been refinishing the stock on the .35 I bought.......just about finished with it........has a little grain, and looks pretty good........