I've had a 700 BDL in 7 Mag since 1966. It's been dragged all thru Alaska and Canada and the West 48.
It's been used so much I've had to refinish it 3 times. I hated the BDL stock so I found a Classic take off and dropped it in that. That rifle has taken a lot of game and has never failed me.

I have a 700 ss in 06 that is my go to gun. Reworked a few things on it. It's a nail driver.
(pillar bedded tuperware stock, bedded the recoil lug, free floated, tuned the trigger)

I have a model 7 ss in 308. Threw the trigger in the trash and put a Shilen on it.
That's my high altitude rifle. Sweet to carry.

I recently picked up a 700 Varmint in 308. Deadly accurate.

I have a 722 in 222. I'll put that old dog up against any body for pink slips.

And last but not least a 721 in 300 H@H. It was my Dad's. I totally restored it.
The trigger fell apart so I put a Timney on it. Now this is a great rifle.
I rarely shoot it. But it holds it's own extremely well.
I'm keeping that one at the ready for a special hunt next year.

I've read about several isolated issues people have had with the 700. I've never experienced any.
They are all that I use in the field.

T