i have no idea as to the finish on the bdl but i have a 243 that i bought in 76'-77' and it has been hunted hard, yet still looks almost as good as new. i've read in several different gun rags over the years that the model 700 has been the best selling bolt action in america for 40 years. no other rifle is even close. i'd guess that many (if not the majority) are bdl's. one article i read just a week or so ago said the 700 was the majority favorite in some annual elk hunter survey the writer apparently takes each year. that said, seems everyone is making a stainless/tupperware version to appeal to the frugal buyer, and they seems to be outselling the "top of the line" versions (of course they are cheaper to manufacture too). as in 700 sps vs bdl or cdl. to answer the op's question, i'd say go ahead and buy the bdl. with decent care it will last you and your children their entire hunting lives.
