Why wait & pay more?
Bill @ Bullet & Blade(A sponsor) usually has several in stock for very low prices.
If not Bill, then look up The Slidell Sportsman. He usually stocks them also.
Of course there's one battle rifle better than all of the above- Lee Enfield! 10 rounds are better than 5 and a much smoother, faster bolt action than the Moison.
Try the M44 then! Same round, about a pound lighter... or try an Enfield Jungle Carbine. 10 rounds with that and you're going to be a bit sore. Of course it doesn't cause retinal damage like the .50 cal's!
I'm going to buy one soon, but I'll keep my .223 to shoot. The 6.8 will be for hunting and SHTF. I won't be shooting that one in matches, etc. at that price! Honestly, its not that bad. Decent hunting ammo costs about that. Even hunting rounds for my enfield runs $17 for 20. Take a look at the cost for some of the Safari calibers. A box of 10 of .505 Gibbs from midway is $227 (I almost bought an enfield #4 converted to that a few years back, I didn't because I couldn't afford to shoot it!).