Hey guys,

From what I understand these were just a plain finished Model 700 made from 1984 to 1988.

One in .308 has come up for sale down here and I'm considering buying it vs a brand new stainless Model 700 SPS for my 7mm SAUM build. Will be about half the price of a new M700 SPS. The intention is to then get it Cerakoted along with the barrel and rest of the metal work.

I already have a brand new short action Model 700 PTG bolt and aluminium firing pin/bolt shroud assembly. I can get a floor plate assembly and new follower from Numerich Gun Parts.

Looking for some opinions please. Any comments on the action / trigger quality compared to a new 700 SPS?

Cheers,

Michael

simple, buy the cheapest one. The quality of the 78 just as good as any of the others.

I reconditoned one in .243 some years ago. The mainspring chattered inside the bolt body when cocked and the rear scope base holes were drilled off-center. It shot fine though. The trigger will likely be the original one "Walker trigger" with three adjustments. When clean and adjusted properly it is a fine trigger.

Mine is a blind magazine (ADL) in a wood stock with a 700 action. Nice rifle for the price.

Yep, it is nothing but a 700 without the bolt engine turning and the bolt handle has no checkering. I have one.
Quality compared to current 700s? Hmmm. I don't see any diff.

I like bottom metal on my guns, not much on blind magazines and the 78 has a blind magazine. but they are cheap and a good deal for the buck..

I'd lay odds that the 78 action is better fitted and finished than a brand new 700 coming out of today's factory.

I base this in part on the difference between a a 20 year-old Rem Model 870 and a recent Remington Express pump. Daylight and dark, despite being the same design.