hell i didnt pay $300 for my Schon WITH the case~! and its a 93 model, nice, clean 4 pointer...
i would go used, $250-350 can get you a HELL of a sneaky from a custom builder used, a real nice Schon, or a number of other cues
for new i would go with a LPCustom.. a lil more money gets you a BEAUTIFUL cue, a few inlays, 2 shafts, etc... or $275 gets you a basic cue with 1 shaft..
there are also a GOOD number of very skilled cue makers taht make sneakies etc in your range...
for me though, i agree with the above gentlemen, $300 can get you a LOT more than a lucasi or viking... i am pretty sure my Schon is my player for life, even though i desire other cues.. but im DAMN glad i bought taht instead of less cue just because they were new..
the market SUCKS... and used cues go for 30-60% of the original sale price (not retail), unless you are talking rare stuff..
look around a while, that money can get you a real nice cue