I owned a 700 CDL for a year or so, bought it on a whim, first year offering of the 35 Whelen. I never fired it but fit finish and overall design and how it fit me were top shelf.

My go-to rifle is a hand built 700 I put together a few years ago chambered in 35 Whelen AI... it's a thumper of a round. To do it over I might... and this is a small might... opt for 338-06 AI... But really I have zero gripes about the Whelen AI... The regular Whelen isn't giving up much when put up against the AI version.

Actually I've been shopping for a good 700 CDL take - off stock for this rifle...