6 of 1 and a half dozen of the other.
That no 5 was a decent candidate for a refurb but in all honesty, it was also a darn fine candidate for a handy little sporter.
OP, you're right, it could have used a bit more work but that scope mount is solid as a rock if its been done properly and tightly fixed to the side of the receiver.
This is going to happen to these old girls. That rifle was picked up years ago and the after market stocks were and still are available at just about any gun shop worth calling a gun shop.
It would cost a couple of hundred bucks to put that rifle back into its battle stock. Then, you might have a $375 battle ready rifle.
This way, he likely got the rifle cheap, put a bit of time into it and turned it into a useful rifle that he personally is proud enough of to make a video.
When you look at things realistically, not everyone likes milsurps. In all honesty, we are at the low end of the spectrum. Most people that don't see the appeal of a milsurp, the same way you and I do. Good thing to, if everyone wanted them, they would be even pricier than they are now.
For someone with a bit of skill with basic tools and some time to put into an old milsurp, they can make a fair to middling sporting rifle up with a rock solid receiver that is consistently reliable, as well as being accurate.
IMHO, that is a much better job than most of the BUBBAS out there.
This rifle is cheap, accurate and allows another firearms enthusiast the opportunity to enjoy our sport with something he has modified to his idea of a fine rifle.
Now, if he had taken a full stocked, no5 in the same condition shown in the video and chopped it up, he would have taken a $500 rifle and turned it into a $200 sporter. OH, he would have broken my heart as well.