Me and a few friends have been shooting the 700ML/54 cal, for over 25 years, with great results. And you are correct, you have to keep them clean, like any muzzleloader.
The thing with these is, while it may look pristine on the outside, you have to check inside the bolt assembly, due to blowback. The crud gets inside and corrodes the bolt spring. The bolt must be disassembled and cleaned, after shooting it.....every time. Replacement springs are available from Wolff, if needed.
We shoot stout loads out of the 54 calibers, and never have had any blowback, that makes it to our faces.
Brownells sells a very handy 700 bolt disassembly tool....that I highly recommend. It really speeds up the take down process.
As to value.....if it's like new, including inside the bolt. And, it has all the take down tools and cleaning accessories, I'd go up to $400 max. If not, I'd just pass on it, unless you want to gamble that you can save it (for a very reduced price)?
Andy3
