I got a model 700 bdl in a 30-06 and I love it. The sporting goods store up the road from my house has a used model 700 cdl in a 243 for 679 and it has only been shot a couple times. I just stopped by there about an hour ago. So that adds another gun to my list to decide from haha

I can get a new 700 cdl at basspro or gandermountain for $900. So that's probably not to bad of a price if it's in good shape.

There was nothing wrong with it. Had one tiny scratch in the wod next to the recoil pad

Personally, I'd choose the model 7 out of those two you listed. I prefer light/compact, and they shoot well even with the short barrel. They are sweet little guns, perfect imo for .243, .260, 7mm-08 ... your mid size short actions.

Given a choice of any....my favorite is the 700 mountain, I have 2 :D

Does your 700 mountain have the laminated stock.

Me personal like the bdl high gloss stock better then the cdl. The model seven synthetic stock version you can carry it all day and not notice it. It works will wits short betrayal out of my shooting house. Dad killed a big doe with it at 250 yards. Mines in 7/08 so is my mountain rifle.

The "sameness" of the Model Seven and M700 is that they are both made by Remington. The SA M700 and M7 are NOT the same. I've owned a good number of M700s, including Classics and the only one I still own is a M700Ti. As for the Model Sevens, I own six at last count. Everyone likes what they like, I happen to like the Model Seven.

In a full-sized action (SA OR LA) I do NOT prefer a M700, but rather prefer a M77 or M70 there. Take a good look at the two rifles, my tastes may not mirror yours. Buy what you like best.

That happens to be a Model Seven in my avatar, in .300SAUM that has given me a 3 shot group of 5/8"

Is the finish of the wood the only difference in the bdl and cdl?

The bdl is gloss metal and wood, cdl is satin finish on wood and matte in metal. The standard barrel length on bdl is 22" and 24" magnum, cdl is 24" standard and 26" magnum.

The CDL's also have factory detachable magazines, no? And they have the newer trigger (x-pro?).