Ok, guys. I'm probably going to start something here, sound like a moron, or more, but here it goes: Unfortunately, I can't try out all the new guns on the market that come through the shop (can't sell them as new if I did that..... fraud, ya know?). However, when something comes in as a trade, I can take it out back and fire a few rounds. Now I don't own either personally, but last spring (or maybe the spring before, I'm getting old), I took my own personal 700 BDL, a Rem 710, and a Savage F116 out back. Truth is the old BDL looked better, felt better, etc. but the ugly, POS 710, and the ugly cheaply stocked F116 shot just as well. I will admit the 710 is gaining a reputation as having mechanical issues, but I know a bunch of folks who love their Savages. So, the point I'm really going for here is that some of these ugly, cheap guns are good shooters. When the 710 first came out (even before the recalls), I took one on a boar hunt...... dead pig at 125 yards! I wouldn't buy one today, but also have to admit they can do what they are supposed to do.

You all are correct though, my 1988 Remington 700 feels better/looks of a higher quality than the stuff being sold today!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, my lovely wife uses a newer youth model 7..... the birch stock looks cheap, feels cheap........ but boy can she shoot that gun!