I'm going to let you folks decide on your own on doing business with this fellow.
He advertised this R700 as "NEW, never fired, never even had a shell in it. He told me the rifle looked just like it did in the box but he couldn't locate the box as he'd had the rifle in his "safe". He sent pics, but the pics sent were over all pics and didn't show any of these issues.
I will list them and post pics
Rust on the bolt handle and knob (surface rust)
Some odd wear / marks on the bolt face with light rust flaking throughout.
Dings/gouges on bottom of stock....not on the butt where you might get a "safe ding" but up where the rifle would be balanced on a "rest"... in this case maybe a rough 2x4
Wear on the rear of the receiver behind the sear where the bolt normally slides...only seen this wear after a hundred or so rounds have been fired in any rifle I've bought new and then used for a few seasons..
Rear action screw has obviously been screwed in and out multiple times as the finish is removed in a spiral fashion.
Rust on the bolt was so evident that you can see where it rubbed off on the packaging.
The bore also had a very light coat of rust, first few patches came out red...
The area on top of the receiver had some light scratches around the mount screw holes and the screws were all set at different depths... When I mentioned that issue he admitted that he'd put a scope on it. Which differs from "bought it new at Mark's, took it home and put it in the safe"
Rust and a scrape on the very end of the striker (this photo is a little fuzzy but still easy to see)
In addition to these issues, Jeff was easy to contact BEFORE I sent the money order. After that, it wasn't so easy, always had an excuse. Shipped the gun several days after he said he did, when I asked for a tracking number he said "my power is out, I'll have to get it later"....
I broke two of my own "cardinal rules" during this transaction.
I usually will not buy a rifle without having it in my hands first for the obvious reasons above.... and I sent money to a PO Box...
I believe anyone can plainly see this is not a new rifle nor is it in "new" condition.
This was a gift for my grandson and unfortunately he knew it was coming so I was pretty much stuck. I've cleaned the rust off of it and oiled it up. Hopefully it shoots well, the kid will never know the difference but his grand dad sure does..
The address and phone he's using is
Jeff Burleson PO Box 112 Houston, AL 33572
(205)275-6754
I've been told that he also has another user name but I do not know what it is.
Liberals are of a mind that it's entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
