Free: Contests & Raffles.
For under $500 if it's in good shape, it would be a pretty good buy on a gun/caliber that would be adequate for all the the species hunted in North America. I echo Bobcats sentiments that if you do not handload, it is expensive to shoot.
All ammo is expensive these days so dont let that turn you away. I shoot a 300 Weatherby and the ammo I'm shooting is Weatherby ammo and only costs $50 bucks a box. Thats pretty comparable to alot of other calibers.
The reason there are so many Ruger upgrades is because they're necessary.