The last time I looked, small dealer wholesale for a 700 SPS was around $520 for CM and $595 for SS. The high volume retailers can sell the same rifle for less than I can buy it and pay for it to be shipped to me.
If I found stainless 700s for less than $400, I'd probably buy several of them either to restock as shooters or just for the donor actions.
Bud's regular, not sale, prices of $541 for CM and $647 for SS are about as close to small dealer wholesale as you're likely to find without having an FFL.
If you're not going to tinker or accessorize a budget rifle, the Ruger ARA for under $350 retail looks like it would be hard to beat. Maybe it wouldn't be the rifle that you'd buy if you depended on wild game for your meat, but for the majority of casual or beginning hunters who want a new rifle or the shooter who wants an inexpensive quick twist 223 or any 6.5 Creedmoor, where would you go to buy for less or equal $$?
