I think it is like buying a car. Look for one that has had "good maintenance" and loved by its owner. My son bought a 96 from bearhunter who posts on here. Paid a premium but it is a premium gun and a great shooter. His has a excellent bore, great wood and you can easily see it was never abused.

I reload for it and it is amazingly accurate and having such a long barrel makes shooting it a pleasure even with my old eyes. Very little recoil and probably the only rifle I never get tired of shooting.
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