My father bought me one in .270 off the shelf for my first centerfire rifle about 1975 or 76. It was at a small shop in Montana, more of a fishing shop than an gun shop, really. The LH Savage 110 was around (but kinda junky), and so was the Weatherby (at $369.50) so the700BDL at about $190 (depending on chambering) was the way to go.
