Maybe someone was collecting 78's and needed the 223,who knows. I paid $259 brand new for mine.
Those 78s are sure a good vintage Remington, made from '84-'88, B prefix 700. Not polished shiny but at least sanded instead of this blasted econo blue rustamatic chit. Maybe not $650 good but wayy better than the bottom of the line nowadays, right there with the best. They're smooth actions too. Stock is simple but slim, well shaped, stiff, and light with proper comb height. A lot going for it. Let a 223 go away for $390 a couple years ago. Heck, in '84 a shiny new 700 7mm RM Classic could be had for $320 or so. Big R did not put out a single chit model then compared to this last decade! Phuggin triangle barrels, X-marks, and the list goes on....