Have you tried Wall mart? I know that is what my local smith does when someone orders a custom 700 build. They find the cheapest 700 on sale and part it out. You may be able to sell the barrel and stock to offset the cost.
Check all of your local pawn shops and gun store used racks, never know what you find. That's how I got my 870 wingmaster cheap, then I gutted it and rebuilt it into police style.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SANDRAT</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gunsmith price at Brownells is $399 </div></div>
I got one for $359 dlr price when they were first made available in April. They are now out of stock and discontinued. Makes me wish I had bought 2 at $359.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadeye351</div><div class="ubbcode-body">PAWN SHOPS!! Rem 700's are not that hard to come by this time of the year. Yet I don't have one on the shelf.</div></div>
Exactly! I've got one located with old style trigger and very ugly paint at a pawn shop for $318 out the door. Haven't bought it yet because I've bought other pawn shop actions(rifles).
PAWN SHOPS! - call them all in your AO. Make them an offer. You'll be surprised.