Just a quick FYI.
Dave's Guns in Holland has Marlin 795s in stock for $139. These rifles qualify for Marlin's $25 rebate. So you can get a decent backup LTR for about $115.
Dave's offer notice is attached and marlin's offer is here:
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/PDFs/09REM6188_Marlin_SpringPromo_coupon.pdf (http://www.marlinfirearms.com/PDFs/09REM6188_Marlin_SpringPromo_coupon.pdf)
And here is a post on the use of the Marlin: http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=9797.0 (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=9797.0)
If you purchase one from Dave's, make sure you let them know that it is for an Appleseed.
If you have Dick's Sporting Goods, they go on sale for $99 every month or so.
Wowser! We have a Dick's but have never seen $99. That would make it $75 with the rebate. The cheapest I have seen there on sale is $119.
Call the store and ask them when/if the last time it was $99. Then call once a week. This price wasn't in the flyers.
I buy from Daves all the time, and put fliers and AS info up all the time. His shop is only about 8 miles from my house. I picked up a 702 plinkster from him for a great price over the winter for use as a dedicated LTR. He gave me a price break for the other stuff to finish setting it up as well. I had less than $120 in a complete LTR after it was all said and done except for the sling.