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View Full Version : Thinking about buying a remington 770... Opinions?


Weaver
October 19, 2011, 10:03 PM
Im seriously considering buying a new Remington 770 in 30-06. Ive read many reviews, some good and some bad... I was hoping i could get some opinions or advice from some folks with first hand experience with these guns. Any help is appreciated.

Florida Cracker
October 19, 2011, 10:09 PM
I have one. The factory installed scope was crap and I replaced it with a Barska scope that was about $60-65. I hunt two days a year and shoot it a little more often so it's good for that level of service. For the price point, it does what it's supposed to do accurately enough for me to be happy with it.

warbirdlover
October 19, 2011, 10:43 PM
Much better rifle for the money IMHO....

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=416228&pdesc=Savage_Model_11/111_FXP3_Centerfire_Rifle_Package&aID=510A1&merchID=4006

Or better yet... this one...

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=GM443634&pdesc=Remington_Model_700_ADL_Centerfire_Rifle&aID=510A1&merchID=4006

HKFan9
October 19, 2011, 10:57 PM
The ADL is 10x the rifle the 770 could ever dream to be.

Go feel the action on a 770... they are garbage, not to mention the hollow stock. It will kill a deer sure... but for the same money or the $50 difference I would go with the 700ADL.

Weaver
October 19, 2011, 10:59 PM
Either one of those would be great.. but im on a pretty tight budget. Thats why i was looking at the 770, walmart here has them for $297

Florida Cracker
October 19, 2011, 11:06 PM
I won't disagree that both are (probably) better rifles but my 770 went out the door under $300 (new) after tax. Add my $60 scope upgrade and it's still less than any of these.

chack
October 19, 2011, 11:11 PM
the resale on them is really bad. You can get a used 770 for cheap. They shoot well but are basically a disposable rifle.

cwtitan
October 19, 2011, 11:20 PM
OK for a once a year deer rifle. But as others are saying there are some better deals out there for the money. Look at the stevens 200.

bpeezer
October 20, 2011, 12:23 AM
I was in the same boat as you, I went ahead and got the 770 (also in .30-06) and I'm glad I did. It puts rounds down range almost as accurate as a basic 700 at half the price. It's a great practice rifle, and it cycles alright after running 40-50 rounds through it and oiling it.

Big Shrek
October 20, 2011, 12:48 AM
Had a chance at a 770 at the Baker Gun Range...rented it, decided that a Marlin XL-7 in .30-06 was for me.

For $299 the Marlin was more precise, and was NIB, factory adjustable trigger, factory recoil pad, & more...where the 770 was used...

bailey bud
October 20, 2011, 01:40 AM
(more of the same)

I would not for a single minute recommend a 770.

Cabelas and Sportsman's warehouse both still carry the Remington ADL - which gives you 10 times the quality for just $100 more.

My local FFL convinced me not to go that direction - and I'm darn glad.
- better rifle (durability, etc)
- better trade-in value (he won't accept a 770 for trade)

If price is the big problem - try an old Savage. You can pick them up for cheap, and they shoot straighter than anything in their price bracket.

Fullboar
October 20, 2011, 02:01 AM
I as well wouldn't recommend the 770 to anyone. If you can get a Stevens 200, Marlin XS7/XL7 (I think they are now just called X7). If you can spend a little more then you cant go wrong with a Howa 1500 or Weatherby Vanguard and if you can afford to spend a little more then get a Tikka T3 (IMHO the Tikka T3 is the best value factory production rifle on the market and compared to other rifles in that price point the Tikka wins out as it has a great Trigger, Stock, Barrel, Fit and Finish ect ie: no need to upgrade any of it). The Tikka also has probably the best accuracy guarantee of any rifle on the market.

natman
October 20, 2011, 06:18 AM
Don't. Just don't.

You can get a Savage Axis or a Marlin XL7 for a similar price and both are far superior to the 770, which is the poorest excuse for a rifle I've ever seen.

Abel
October 20, 2011, 07:15 AM
Get a Stevens 200 instead.

codyb1991
October 20, 2011, 09:14 AM
No way man. 770 is not worth any of your time, the 700 adl is a MUCH better rifle and its well worth the extra $100

L_Killkenny
October 20, 2011, 09:35 AM
If your budget is so low that you can only buy a 770 I'd say do without a gun. I can't think of any gun on the used market that I WOULD NOT choose over a 770 and that includes a milsurp. And I don't like milsurps!.

In short, if you are truely stuck on a budget that low go used or go home.

LK

Fishbed77
October 20, 2011, 11:39 AM
As others have said, the 700 ADL makes the 770 pretty pointless. We've had a 700 ADL (in .243) for about 20 years that has been a superb rifle. Very accurate, very well-made, and very reliable. I one dropped it out of a high (25 ft+) deer stand - no damage whatsover. I doubt you could say that for a 770.

kflo01
October 20, 2011, 12:08 PM
People blast this rifle , I think the earlier verisons of it had problems with a sticky or tight bolt. But I those problems have been solved.

Shooting Times, magazine did a review on it and a few other budget .308 rifles (like the Savage AXIS). Compared and did test and the 770 hedl it's own. I think the negative things about this rifle have been ironed out and can be a great shooter. I am going to change the scope of mine to one that is alittle bit more powerful to fully take atvantage of the .308 but besides that I think it is gtg.

sc outdoorsman
October 20, 2011, 01:52 PM
I have a friend that bought one in .30-06 a few years back. He shoots occasionally and hunts occasionally. He has 3 small children and bought what he thought was the best rifle for the money. He has been happy so far. I have held the rifle but not shot it. I didn't care for it myself as most Remington stocks don't fit me well, but it suits him and that's what really matters.

rugerfreak
October 20, 2011, 01:55 PM
Trying to be as nice as I can here---Remington rifles is general and the 770 in particular just aren't good rifles.

Palmetto-Pride
October 20, 2011, 02:27 PM
You can always tell a brand fanboy... most of the time they have there favorite brand as part of there screen name and they will bash most other makers if the inquiry is not about there favorite brand gun. The 770 is POS not worth owning, but the 700 is a great rifle, but if your are looking for a budget minded rifle the T/C Venture is very hard to beat.

Jeff56
October 20, 2011, 05:35 PM
A Stevens 200 would be a far better choice for pretty much the same amount of money. The Stevens is a tough, durable rifle and accurate well beyond it's price. Plus you can upgrade with Savage parts and eventually have a truly great rifle if that's what you want. But there isn't one thing wrong with the 200 as it comes.

Or you could buy a used rifle. I bought a used Savage 110 in 30.06 for $225 and it came with a 30 day warranty. It's essentially the same rifle as the Stevens 200 since mine is too old to have the AccuTrigger.

I was offered a 770 and a 710 in trade for my S&W 629 .44 magnum. It was all I could do to keep from laughing, I swear. These rifles might be ok if you don't plan on shooting them much but I see no reason to buy one when you can get much better rifles for the same amount of money.

Take a look at the deal on this web page (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/14610). That price ($320) includes shipping. You'll have to pay a FFL transfer fee most likely. But for just a few dollars more you can get a rifle that's 3 times as good as the 770. If you check around even the 700 is looked on with suspicion these days because of the way Remington is doing things lately. I haven't seen a bad one but I've seen lots of reports of bad ones. I have shot plenty of them though and without spending a lot of money on them they have nothing on the Stevens 200 IMO. And of course you can spend money and make the Stevens better too. The 200 is just a far better deal than the 770. I have shot both and I own the one I liked.

You really can get a good deal on a used rifle if you know what to look for. Most rifles are took out a couple of times a year to be sighted in and to take deer hunting. The rest of the time they sit around not being fired a lot. You can get used rifles that are in excellent condition as a result. If you really want a Remington look for an older 700. It should be a much better rifle than the 770. Everything about the 770 says cheap to me. Like I said they might be fine if you don't plan on shooting them more than a couple of dozen times a year but why go for that when you can do so much better?

upstate81
October 21, 2011, 07:34 AM
The 770 is perhaps the worst rifle I have ever fired in every aspect period. You don't need a rifle that bad.

Fusion
October 21, 2011, 10:03 AM
I'd stay far away from the 710's, or 770's. That said, I do know people that have them and for shooting the occasional deer, they do work. I really just don't understand why you'd want one of these though when you could get a rifle that's so much better for a similar price from another manufacturer. With the 770, you get a lousy trigger, a rough action, a barrel that's pressed in so if it wears out, it's too bad, and really an overall just cheap gun. Plus as said many shops won't take them on trade in, and the resale value is just horrible. A friend tried to sell his 710, and after trying for quite a while he finally gave up and just kept it.

For right under $400 you could get a Savage model 10/110 package at Walmart that includes the accu trigger, which is so much better, is a quality rifle all the way around, will most likely shoot sub moa groups out of the box, has a barrel nut, so you can easily change the barrels at home, and overall is just a rifle that's 100x nicer for not much more money. You will also get a lot better resale with this than the 770. IMO this is the way to go, however if you don't like this choice for some reason there are several other choices.

For $300 or under you should be able to find a Stevens 200. It's essentially the older Savage Model 110, without the accu trigger. It's also a nice rifle, and has many of the same traits as the above Model 10/110 it it just doesn't have as nice of a trigger, and to me it's worth the extra $100 to get a scope you can sell and the accu trigger.

Another option is the Marlin XL/XS-7. These can also be found around the $300 mark and are also a much better rifle. They have a trigger that is basically a copy of the accu trigger. Overall, these got great reviews for the early ones, but the ones with REM stamped on the barrel have been getting less than stellar reviews which is the only thing that makes me hesitate from really recommending this one.

Also for around $400 you can get a Remington 700 ADL at Walmart with a cheap scope. If you are dead set on a Remington, this would be the way to go over the 770, as the rifle is that much better. Although I think the Savage is a much better option.

upstate81
October 21, 2011, 08:32 PM
Own both the 110 and the 700 ADL and the rem is much better. It out shoots the savage and it has a better finish. Blind mag is not an issue for me

riggins_83
October 21, 2011, 09:44 PM
Horrible quality firearm.. go with the Savage instead if you really want a bundle gun.

chewie146
October 21, 2011, 11:50 PM
People tend to ignore used guns when thinking of a new deer rifle, new elk hunting gun, etc, especially when they're new to the sport. Do you know anyone that is familiar with firearms to a good level? I'd go with a used Savage or Remington, or you may find a deal on a good Ruger with a rough stock. Also, don't overlook the H&Rs. Others may bash them, but both of mine run very well. It's one shot, but it's where you put that one shot that counts. You can't miss fast enough to get a deer. I don't know if you're new to the sport, or if you've overlooked used rifles, etc, but those are my 2 cents.

TX Hunter
October 22, 2011, 01:01 AM
+ one on a Used Rifle, I have bought some nice rifles used over the years.
I bought a Ruger M77 that looked brand new, for $400.
And thats probably 20 times better than the Remington 770.

codyb1991
October 22, 2011, 01:53 AM
Friends don't let friends buy Remington 770's. Basically, any rifle is better than a 770. My 700 adl is the rifle that suits me best, I'd recommended it. But its whatever rifle fits you best. Take your time choosing, get a feel for the action and the fit, check after market customization, parts availability, and customer reviews.

jimbob86
October 22, 2011, 02:08 AM
People tend to ignore used guns when thinking of a new deer rifle

This.

Deer rifle calibers generally are not comfortable to shoot for very long, so a 30-06 or .270 that is even 50 or 60 years old is unlikely to have been shot all that much ...... some guys don't even sight in ........ I know my dad never fired more than a box a year....... Looking for a deal on a deer rifle? Check the consignment racks, or estate sales.

Varmit caliber guns, OTOH, get the crap shot out of them ......

buymore
October 22, 2011, 09:23 AM
If budget hinders you....does it have to be NEW? For the $, I prefer the Savage/Stevens 110 models. You can find like-new rifles in birch stocks for well under $250 just about anywhere. They also have adjustable triggers from the factory, so you can make yourself a decent rifle. The last two I bought in 30-06 were $225 each. One came with sights and the other was a scope-only with an older quality made Japanese Tasco 4x32. Very clear crisp scope. I thought I would swap it out, but it's too nice of a scope to get rid of!

I would check out the Savage or Stevens 110's on the online auction sites......very reasonable even with shipping and transfers.

tws92E05
October 22, 2011, 09:41 AM
I guess I have one of the older versions. The bolt on the 243 I bought for my kids to use sticks so bad that you have to hit the bolt against something to force it open after firing it. Hard to believe Remington would put out such a poor quality rifle but their quality control isn't what it used to be. I will never buy another 770 and I am starting to shy away from Remington in general.

Jeff56
October 22, 2011, 10:05 AM
I forgot to add that the Savage 110 I got for $225 also had a halfway decent scope on it. It was good enough to sell and get a better scope with a little more money tossed in which is what I did.

Again good used rifles are easy to come by. I bought a Savage 12 LRPV that only had about 5 rounds shot through it or less. It saved me about $300 because of those 5 rounds. No I didn't get a warranty but for $300 I'll do without.