I have to agree with you, unless you buy a 700, they've gone downhill.
I've had atleast 1 defective/crushed/bent round in every box out of the last three boxes I bought. I didn't buy the cheap umc either. I bought
safari grade, scirocco's and the reg. premiere. All had a problem.

My uncle has a 700ml. I think that was the last good thing they produced.
The only problem I heard was the firing pin spring was not strong enough
after you convert it to 209 primers. The American conversion kit did not
include a stronger spring, but the Canadian kit did!?

Even the ear muffs my brother bought. The pin holding the ear piece on
fell out just as he fired a shot! That was FUNNY!

Anyway, I beleive the 700ml is or will be discontinued shortly. No idea if they plan on building a new design, but I've pretty much given up on
remington. They put too much effort in advertising and forgot about research and development.