mjac: my dad bought me a M700 30/06 in 1962, 20" barrel and steel butt plate as you said. I can confirm that it would kick the snot out of you! (I had asked for a M70 FWT but the guy at the local gun shop convinced Dad that the brand new M700 was a much better rifle). Still have the rifle, but ti's been re-barrelled and re-stocked :-)
