If you get one try and get a 26" barrel.The barrel burning rep came from lower grade steel used at the time and hotrodders not allowing barrels to cool during extended shooting sessions.I'd love to own one and who cares if it's popular why be unique like everyone else?I use several 6.5x55's and would face any thing in North america with the 160gr handload.I've never found a bullet yet even in moose reguardless of angle.........Harold [according to the Hornady6th edition the223WSM showed significant throat erosion after only 350 rounds!]Layne Simpson's 264's still shoot MOA after 10,000 rounds