The second thought that I have had as I mused:
I do not have the data at hand to answer the following, so it is mere speculation at this point.
How many OT quotes are made in the NT?
What percentage of those have exact or very close resemblance to the LXX?
Are there any writers who quote OT passages (of reasonable statistical number) whose quotes also predominately align with the LXX, indicating that this writer had access to a copy for reference?
My guess is that the overall percentage is low, and that no particular writer showed an affinity to the supposed LXX.
Whether or not there were Greek translations of parts (the Law as an example) of the OT is not the question. The claim is that the LXX existed and was in wide-spread use during the first century AD. This would have been difficult considering the logistics of distribution of many hand-written copies, which non-rulers like certain Galilean fishermen would likely be unable to obtain for personal use (unless the library at Alexandria had a web site for easy access.)
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