Don't feel bad. One day I would like to own a gun shop but to do that I need experience and numbers.
I done some looking and I really didn't get anywhere. I can tell you this though, you will pay between 100 and 200 bucks for a decent double barrel.
I agree, I love the mini-14. Another good .223 that isn't an AR is the Galil. It is an Israeli weaponand is a mix of an AK and an M16: http://www.dreadgazebo.com/gunporn/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/gunporn-galil.jpg
From what I have heard they are as reliable (maybe a bit less though) and an AK but almost as accurate as an AR (in other words sniping accuracy). I know a guy who shot a 2" group at 200 yards with a Galil. Best part about the Galil is it costs about $500 (AK price range).
Oh, and did I mention they can be customized to accept AR mags and they are chambered in .233.
Just showing ya another option.
Anyways, a decent standard Mini is gonna cost ya about 300 - 400 bucks. Pretty cheap for a weapon that guys are saying is worthy of military use. The good thing about Mini's is that they are very accurate.
For an M1 you are looking at about $600 for a good one. If they were used in WW2 they are worth more. If you want a WW2 Garand plan on spending at least a garand on it.
Might I also put in a good word for the M1A: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/93/SA_M1A_NM.jpg
You can figure for about $600 or so for that one. It is exactly like a M1 Garand but it uses a magazine instead of a block.
Here's my dream M1A: http://www.gunsandgeartv.com/piclib/133.jpg
That's a new model of the M1A. It was made in 2006 and is from what I hear, very good. The gun is short like a M4 but it shoots the big ole 7.62x51 NATO. On top of that they are supposed to be as reliable as an AK. Slap dirt in it... should still work.
That gun goes for a little bit over $1,000.
Here's a picture showing the side a little better: http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq210/jtrodgers/M1ASocomIIUrbanCamo.jpg
Figure around $130 for a good Sporter 10/22. Good price IMO.
Dude, I'm getting good enough at that book that I rarely need to look in the back to find a page where it is listed at. I know where the companies are located in the book so I just go there and flip through real quick to find the rifle I am wondering about.
Also, I have decided on this for my Winchester 70: