I will look into Mausers very seriously.
The reworked Spanish military model FR-8 Mauser rifles used as a training and second-line auxiliary personnel substitute for the 7,62 NATO caliber Spanish CATME assault rifle ire well made and use a rotary rear sight with multiple aperatures set for varying distances, from *close* to 400 meters. The rifles can often be found in the $125-$200 price range, and if you're familiar with the 7,62 round from your own military service, you know that it's an excellent one and is widely available from a vatiety of commercial and surplus sources in a variety of bullet weights and power level loadings. The turnbolt Mauser rifles are most usually found with V-notch sliding rear open sights like the Kalishnikov, and the Spanish FR-8's are one of the few exceptions to that generality.
If you did go that route, that could also give you ammunition and accessory compatability with a CETME semiauto, very inexpensively available right now, which could be either an advantage or a mixed blessing.
There are few faults or flaws to be aware of if shopping for a FR-8 other than those that can apply to any similar weapon, but beware getting the earlier FR-7 version made from the Spanish Modelo 95 action rather than the later and stronger M98 action- if you get one, you want an FR8, at least from a user's standpoint; collectability is another thing entirely.
If the old .30-06 cartridge of the M1 Garand rifle [another VERY good choice should you later be in the market for a high quality and accurate semiauto] is acceptable to you, the earlier issue M1903A3 Springfield rifle is chambered for that cartridge and is an excellent choice. Springfields generally go for a little higher price, in the $400-$500 ranhe, but it's another excellent bolt-action rifle with an aperature rear sight that should work well for you. Again, there's the earlier M1903 version with a shorter-radius sliding adjustable v-notch rear sight mounted atop the barrel with about half the sight radius of the M1903A3 model. There's certainly nothing wrong with the earlier version [I have my granddad's old one, and it's a great shooter] but I think you'd find the later type with the improved sighting arrangement would better suit you.
It's of course possible to rebarrel either a FR-8 or M1903A3 to another caliber if you so require, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it, and there's certainly little wrong with either the .30-06 or 7,62 NATO calibers as a good choice for a working rifle.
Spanish FR-8, 7,62x51mm NATO chambering:
M1903A3 Springfield, cal. .30-06:
