Remington Sportsman 78 Rifles

Joe Boleo · #1 12-12-2009, 06:13 PM

From 1978 to 1982 (or there abouts) Remington made the Sportsman 78 bolt action rifle. It is a cheaper Model 700. About two years ago, I found one that was like new in .270 Winchester in the used gun rack at a local gun shop and it was cheap. It appeared to be unfired and it went home with me. I got around to scoping it and took it to the range and it was a tack driver. This rifle is not fussy about what I feed it.

Today I was in another gun shop and saw the same model rifle in .30-06 sitting in the used gun rack. It was like new and came with the original box and the price was cheap. I had a store discount card for $25.00 and applied it to the sale. It came home with me. I hate it when that happens. Take care...
Joe

wrenchman · #2 12-12-2009, 06:46 PM

I had the same model in 270 it shot good the only problim i had was the triger was hard.
I had a triger jod done a timeny triger was put on.

Gil Martin · #3 12-13-2009, 09:05 AM

Those are excellent rifles and cost a fraction of a new Model 700. All the best...
Gil

Catfish · #4 12-14-2009, 06:52 PM

I have the problem of cheap guns following me home too. Last Dec. I had a Savage 7mm. mag. follow me home from a gun show, and I`ll be darned, but another Savage 7mm mag. followed me home from the Jan. show. The thing I really don`t understand is that I never wanted a 7mm mag., and now I have 2 of them.

skeet · #5 12-15-2009, 02:31 PM

As Gil said. Those are good if not pretty rifles. And they usually shoot pretty good. Good catch my friend.. Buy all you see when the price is right.

As long as you "need" them

Now as Catfish said I also have a tendency to buy cheap rifles for some reason. In fact I just bought 12 today..sight unseen for a price of 200 bucks each.. And I don't really know why

popplecop · #6 12-25-2009, 12:13 PM

Had one I built in to an ultra lite rifle. Came in 270 which I already had so I took a 30-06 barrel and turned it down, trigger stock and a 18 OZ, Kevlar stock. Great little rifle, but as my choice of rifles runs to single shot rifles I gave it to my son. They are a bargin rifle and one should always keep an eye for them. My News Year resulution is no more centerfire rifles though.

PJgunner · #7 12-29-2009, 05:23 PM

While not the Remington 78's, for a long time one could buy a J.C. Higgins Model 50 in either .270 Win. or 30-06 for anywhere from $75 to $100 but sadly those days are long gone. I've een picking them up whenever I could and the price was close to being right. Now around $400 for clean one today seems to be about right but for a long time I could find them for under $250. Why a cheapie Sears gun? Actually, when they came out they were more expensive than the oh so desireable Pre-64 Winchester M70.

Their Mauser actions were made by FN in Belgium, barreled by High Standard with a chrome lined barrel and I've never figured out who did the stock which while it had a generally classic shape was quite clubby for those who had smaller hands.

I've seen a couple which were so badly beat up and rusty all over yet that chrome lined barrel was as shiny as a new dime. I have a few, several which have been made into custom guns but the unaltered ones are quite accurate.
A quality rifle that would cost a heck of a lot more today if it were still being made.
Paul B.

Gil Martin · #8 12-29-2009, 06:08 PM

You are correct, the Sears Model 50 rifles are real bargains. I managed to find a few that were like new and paid $200.00 or less for each of them. The only down side was the two-piece trigger arrangement (much like some No. 4 Mark I Enfield rifles). I had my local gunsmith install Timney triggers and now they are first rate rifles. All the best...
Gil