I used a good shooter Model 66 no dash as the donor for
Project 616, and would have gladly offered $400 for the gun you mention in that shape for that purpose. I don't see $450 as all that far out of line.
If you want to shoot it in its current configuration, it would be simple to have a gunsmith "stretch" the ejector rod housing or use shims to eliminate the end shake. Setting the barrel back a turn and making the standard fitting steps that would accompany that process would really make the gun nice, but might not really be necessary right away.
BTW, what grips does it have? IIRC, it should probably have the old no-diamond targets with the "football cutout" for loading and unloading ease. If early enough it will have stainless sights, but except to the collector these are a bit of a disadvantage as they are sometimes hard to see.
Good luck with it!
Froggie