A Panda (updated version of sleeved 700) weighs 30.5 oz. A M70 weighs 42 oz. In a 10.5 pound rifle those extra 11.5 oz are better off in the barrel (or maybe the barrel and scope together).
Even a BAT DS weighs less than 2 pounds.
A Panda is not just an updated version of a sleeved 700 any more than it is an update of a Mauser.
From what I remember, a Remington short action by itself was over 30 oz, and you needed to add the sleeve on top of that.
Also, I am not advocating using M-70s for BR. I am saying they are superior as a reliable hunting action and still worth building a custom rifle on. As opposed to a 700 which is significantly bettered by custom actions at a competitive price point.
A Mausenfield is significantly more expensive than buying a new M-70 as a donor, and I don't think a Defiance CRF is the claw type but that jicky "controlled push feed" style that is really no advantage over a push feed.
So the CRF M-70 and commercial Mausers will likely maintain there positions as viable custom hunting rifle actions at their price point. That really isn't the case with Remington anymore. The Remington 700s day in the sun has been over for a while....