I bought a '49 Win 70 .30-06 from Paul Crosnoe a while back. It was advertised as 98-99%. I wanted it to be my "one" M70. It was a REALLY nice M70, but it wasn't 98-99%. It was OK though, and the metal was perfect. Stock was "pretty good". I paid $1200.00, which was probably too much at the time. Paul would have taken it back, no questions asked, but I kept it. It shoots superbly and has become one of my favorites, but the 98-99% thing ain't the same for sellers or buyers. You live and learn. I like the rifle; I just paid $200.00 too much. Since buying the Crosnoe rifle, I've bought two more M70s...both in more used condition. Both I examined personally. And both were cheaper. The last one, a late '50's straight stock, came my way unplanned and very inexpensively. So it balances out, I guess.
Bob
No doubt, and factor in the years you will use them and their normal price elevation and you did fine. Hell we piss away $200 on a variety of things and have nothing to show for it.
