30.06, Rem 770
 

I'm looking at the Remington 770 in 30.06. What is the general opinion of the rifle? I hope to draw someday, SD draws can take forever. Also looking for suggestions for an elk load.
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FETISHxSTYLE

I touched one once, and didn’t like the feel, or look of it. I never met anyone who shot one, the friends I have who went to check one out had the same feeling as I did. They are just dressed up 710’s. Should you ever wear out the barrel (doubtful), or you want to change the caliber with a new barrel, you can’t.

If you do not hunt much, then maybe it will suit your needs. One of the gurus here (Dom) wrote once, (Para parsing): “If you don’t golf much, you can get by with a bag of cheapies, but if you are an avid golfer, then you can justify the cost of name brand clubs.

Since money is tight in the USA right now, I would save a wee bit more and get a used Remington 700 or a Savage (unfortunately non-accu trigger). To be honest, I hated the feel AND DORKY BOLT of the770 so much, if I had to choose between a 770 (& 710) and a NEF/H&R single shot, I would take the single shot.

Consider getting a British .303, and have a smith put a scope mount on it

Just plan to get a good scope. Even if you decide on a 770, toss the Bushnell. I think they put the Sportsman on the 710 & 770’s………not good.

Just my opinion

The Rem 700 sounds good and was mentioned elsewhere too. I was also recommended a Rem 721 and Savage 14. Is the accutrigger a bad thing? I have never shot one.
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Oh, the Accu-Trigger is awesome. But a used Savage for a decent price would be the older pre Accu-Trigger model.

I was in town today and held a 700. I do like it. $620 is a little more than I was wanting to spend, but I'd rather spend more and be happy, than less and disappointed. Gonna check to gun shop for a used one.
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SexyJulia36DD

You know I would not pick a 770 or a 710 as the rifle of my dreams. I have shot both and they both work well enough to take deer to 300yrds (even with the crappy scope that may come bore sighted).

In your arsenal, collection, stash, cashe or whatever you call it you will have working guns that go bang and do the job. These rifles bring no tears to your eyes if you drop them. If they end up behind your truck seat and a piece of log chain finds the barrel causing that medieval look, you may say a few bad words but it will not ruin your day. Sometimes you become attached to these beaters.

So I say if that’s what you can afford now get it. It’s not perfect but it will work.

;)

Good food for thought Spike. I only own 6 long guns and 2 pistols. 2 long guns are 12ga. One of my rifles have been new, the rest just new too me. All of them are shooters, no show guns in my house. What you say makes sense, so I will have to decide what to do.
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LovelyWendie

It depends what you prefer
 

I would shop the used gun racks and see what is available, seems to fit and you can afford. There are a lot of real bargains out there waiting for a new home. All the best...
Gil

sdkid,

Several other options to think about...

Savage makes a Stevens model 200 which you should be able to get for around $300 or so brand new. I've never heard anything bad about them yet, and I'm considering one at the moment. Also, Marlin makes a bargain-priced bolt action rifle with a trigger similar to Savage's accutrigger (if you must have one...). The XL7 runs about $300 depending on local prices.

If this is strictly a hunting rifle, I'd avoid the accu-trigger or knockoffs. It's a great target trigger, but I had one fail to fire on me once (got the trigger in the crook of my finger and failed to properly depress the trigger safety). I'll never have one on a hunting rifle. I know, I made the mistake. But that was target shooting - no problem. If it ever cost me a shot at a big buck, I'd never forgive myself for not taking the lesson to heart. Just get the standard trigger adjusted by a 'smith, and you'll have a great hunting rifle. JMHO

gd

sdkid,

I don't recommend the Remington rifles for hunting. Most of them that I am familar with do not have a correct safety in that it is neither three position nor does it lock the firing pin.

Some designs that do have superior three position safeties are the M70 Winchester and the Kimber of NY rifles.

The Remington also has a tiny cheap spring for an extractor, lacks control round feeding and its bolt handle is just brazed on and can break off.

Look at other rifles.

Mike Moss, I agree with you about the potential problems with a Remington action. I have Mausers, Win Pre-64 70s, Post 64 70s and various Remingtons (600,700,7880. Fortunately, none of them have ever failed me. I have repaired a lot of Remingtons that have suffered extractor failure, mostly due to heavy loading. I have put a lot of Sako type of extractors in those bolts. The safety problem is solved by remembering to never trust any safety. My son has Win model 70 style shrouds put on his big game rifles just so they all work the same. I have seen two bolts that have had the handles come off of new rifles and I have returned those rifles to Remington with a suggestion they give the soddering shop guys a little more hands on training. Remingtons have received a lot of deserved criticism and some not deserved. The trigger-safety lawsuits they have endured are by mostly folks who screwed up and are looking for someone to blame. Their triggers should be cleaned every few years and are also treated to an oil bath by people that don't know better. Oil turns to varnish when it dries out. Decent care eliminates most of their problems.

While the 770 might not appeal to the gun nut sort, its a well made, accurate, dependable rifle.
For the sometime hunter, its not a bad choice at all.

sdkid, I have not had any personal experience with the Rem 770. I had a 710 in for repair that had the rear tang broken off and it cost about $70 to replace the unit. I saw another that lost the bolt because the bolt release got turned while hunting. They are an inexpensive tool that will work fine if they are taken care of. Dont let sand get into that action!

I am glad to see you looking into a 30-06 it is a greatly undervalued round these days. I like the remmy 700, not so much on the other remmy model rifles. Also consider why you want a bolt action. If you are scoping the gun anyway check out the H&R single shot rifles in 30-06. You will spend alot less, and I don't think you will be dissapointed.

GoodOlBoy

GoodOlBoy, A long time ago(when the Ruger No.1 first cme on the scene) a famous Wyoming elk guide said he didn't have a problem with the single shot but wasn't sure he would recommend it to an inexperienced hunter/shooter. He felt in the event of the first shot wounding the animal a quick follow-up was mandatory and a rifle with a magazine was a better option in that circumstance.
I don't disagree with that logic.