Yeah, the prices are stabilizing a bit now. Really, you can get by for $950 but I prefer to assemble out of quality parts so you can pick and choose components.
For a cheap bolt-action, the above poster is correct about a Moisan being a good choice.
I was thinking about a DSA STG 58 Austrian FAL for about $1100 or a a SIG 556 Rifle for about $1300. I already have a Bushie .223.