Up here, there is a company called Tradeex that has hundreds of 6.5x55s in stock, starting at $250. The inexpensive ones are used M96s, but most are in VG condition. They also have new Zastava Mausers for $695. That also happens to be the price of a new Contender barrel in Canuckian Dinars.
Here's one of their used, professionally redone M96 sporters in VG condition. Perhaps you can understand my dilemma.