I admit the Krag was the ONLY firearm I "practiced what I preached" - i.e. learned about the rifle, asked questions, etc., before purchasing one (I now have five)
I would spend $250 on a rifle ONLY if there was a reasonable chance of saving $650-900 for a better model. My thought would be to enlist the help of some "Kraggies" and see if you can find something more in the $600 range as a "first rifle". They are out there with some careful looking.
"We make men without chests and expect from them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst."
--C.S. Lewis