I own a M3000L in 7mm Rem Mag, mine came with a factory 26" bbl. I bought it as a barreled action for $179 in 1974 with money earned mowing lawns. It still has the same Vari-XII on it that I paid $69 for. The stock is AAA grade fiddle back maple and the stock was patterned by hand to match my dad's Mark V. The rifle is a shooter, it likes 145gr Speer's both SP & SBT, 154gr Hornady's, and Sierra 160gr SBT's. Never tried any 175's in it. I will never sell this rifle.
A close friend picked up a 3000L in 30-06 and was a shooter. I do not remember if it had a 24" bbl or not.
When I bought my barreled action I had a choice between 7mm, 270, or 30-06.
The only thing that is cheesy about the M3000L's is the pot metal floor plate. Otherwise they are wonderful rifles.
