I know you can buy a Dakota Action for around $2500..so you could build pretty much any gun caliber you wanted..might run a tad more than 5k depending on stock work, barrel, sites, etc..

Also you could get a custom Empire for somewhere in that range..maybe a bit more..

But to answer your question, I would take the Dakota over the pre-64..

Was at a custom gun makers shop the other day, he had a client use a CZ action and had the guy build a .416 Rigby with a Schneider barrel, safari sights, rework the action, etc..it was still in the white when I saw it..but was impressed with how it looked, felt and worked at the time..total package was going for around $4500.---

Ripp