Author Topic: Would like an honest review on the 770 (Read 1538 times)

STUMPJMPR · « **on:** December 02, 2009, 02:37:30 PM »

I am thinking about getting a new deer rifle. I have been hunting the last few years with a 30-30 since I lost my Ruger 270 in a flood. I have heard mixed reviews on the 770 but most of the people that are talking bad about them have never even picked one up. They sell for $349 with a scope which is considerably cheap. I handled one at Academy and they aren't near as sloppy and gritty as people say. I am looking for a budget rifle that will hold about 2" groups at 100 yards on cold barrel shots.

live2hunt · « **Reply #1 on:** December 02, 2009, 02:44:54 PM »

I had a 710, the older version of the 770. It did what it was designed to do, shoot. I don't get real excited about tight groups, but it shot pretty well for me. To me, the gun was nothing special, it was just a "tool" and I wanted more then that. I sold it last month, as I replaced it with a 7600. If I were you, I would look around a bit at other makes and models before you purchase that 770, just my .02.

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2009, 03:03:53 PM »

I really like the T/C venture but for $450ish but I'm on a budget this year. I may hunt another year with what i have and get something else later

live2hunt · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2009, 09:58:31 AM »

I think that is a wise choice.

diggler1833 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2009, 01:27:43 PM »

Should be good for 2" or a bit better at 100yds with the right factory ammo/handloads. I've watched a dozen or so at the range and will say that you get a lot for the money and for a truck/beater rifle they are a good deal.

Be forwarned though, the flimsy, plastic stock will cause your point of impact to change depending on where you have your rifle stock rested.

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2009, 02:56:36 PM »

That's about what I came up with after reading a lot of forums today. Most of the negative reviews were from people who have never even picked one up. I am still debating on a few other rifles for a little more money. The T/C venture or the Weatherby Vanguard.

JimFromTN · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2009, 04:45:05 AM »

Add $50 to that and buy a rem 700. You used to be able to buy new 700 ADL's at walmart for around $350. TC's an the Weatherby Vanguards are great guns also, but they don't have near the aftermarket products as the 700. That might not seem that important now, but someday you may want to replace the stock or do some other custom work to it and you will be glad you went with the 700.

yooper77 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2009, 04:59:48 AM »

Quote from: STUMPJMPR on December 02, 2009, 02:37:30 PM

I am thinking about getting a new deer rifle. I have been hunting the last few years with a 30-30 since I lost my Ruger 270 in a flood. I have heard mixed reviews on the 770 but most of the people that are talking bad about them have never even picked one up. They sell for $349 with a scope which is considerably cheap. I handled one at Academy and they aren't near as sloppy and gritty as people say. I am looking for a budget rifle that will hold about 2" groups at 100 yards on cold barrel shots.

Shop around you can find Remington 700 ADL rifle scope combos on auction sites for a great price if you are patient.

The price of $349.00 for the Remington 770 I am certain is retail price; don’t ever pay retail for a firearm.

yooper77

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2009, 05:57:27 AM »

I absolutely hate any bolt action that doesn't have a floorplate or detachable magazine. It is a real pain to cycle the action 5 times to unload. Remington 700 ADL's are selling for over 400 at cabela's I belive they are closer to 450. I am also thinking about the weatheryby but I really like the shorter throw bolts as on the 770 and the t/c venture.

Swampman · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2009, 06:11:55 AM »

The 770 is an excellent value. Consider the Marlin XL-7

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/CenterfireBoltAction/XL7.asp

I'd avoid the Vanguard/Howa.

yooper77 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2009, 06:12:05 AM »

Quote from: STUMPJMPR on December 04, 2009, 05:57:27 AM

I absolutely hate any bolt action that doesn't have a floorplate or detachable magazine. It is a real pain to cycle the action 5 times to unload. Remington 700 ADL's are selling for over 400 at cabela's I belive they are closer to 450. I am also thinking about the weatheryby but I really like the shorter throw bolts as on the 770 and the t/c venture.

If you find a deal and like the rifle you can convert the ADL into a BDL with a kit and stock if desired. Cabelas prices as with any other retail stores are retail prices, so you are spending the maximum possible on firearms unless you have coupons (their coupons usually do not cover firearms or ammo) of some other extraordinary offers or sales. You don’t need to completely cycle the action to eject cartridges, just bump them with the bolt enough to release.

I like Weatherby Vanguards also, or Ruger M77’s.

You can never go wrong with Thompson Center firearms, I like them all.

yooper77

hunt-m-up · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2009, 06:44:20 AM »

Weatherby Vanguards, Ruger 77's, T/C's, Savage, Marlin will all give you more service than the 770 which is not the best of Remington's efforts by a long-shot. I've seen some Rem SPS 700's lately and the price was pretty attractive on them also.
I'm whole-heartedly with you on the magazine issue, I prefer hinged floorplates because I haven't lost one yet.
Look hard at the used rack especially in the next few months as they are sold for Christmas $$'s or traded after the hunting seasons.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2009, 07:41:56 AM »

If your willing to shop arround you can usually find a used 770 cheap . they are then too usually as brand new .
So that alone says something to me , other than looking at the one I picked up .
Check out a Marlin bolt then if your watching your dollar like a lot of us . Check out the Marlin forum too, and read what the guys have to say about these rifles .

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #13 on:** December 05, 2009, 04:24:06 AM »

Yooper,

Is it really that easy to unload? Just by sliding the bolt back and forth? I can honestly say I have never used a rifle with a blind magazine. So i guess I'm judging them without experience.

live2hunt · « **Reply #14 on:** December 05, 2009, 04:52:10 AM »

Yes, it is that easy. You don't always need to cycle the bolt completely.

yooper77 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 05, 2009, 05:07:56 AM »

Yes, I hold the rifle to the side and ketch the ammo in my hand as I short cycle the action to free them from the magazine. We are talking about 3 to 4 rounds, so it’s not a big deal.

Are you looking for another 270 Winchester?

If you really want a floor plate then look at a Remington 700 SPS, these are hinged floor plate and matte finish with synthetic stock. You can find them new for a very good price and will last a lifetime. Plus the resale value over the 770 is incomparable if you ever choose to sell it. Plus you can re-barrel the 700 if you feel the need for a different cartridge not offered from the factory.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_700/model_700_SPS.asp

I do like the Thompson Center Venture, I located a new in box on gunbroker.com in 270 Winchester starting price of $400.00 with $25.00 shipping. Just try a search for 270 Venture. These have a 60 degree bolt lift, not like the 90 degree lift for the Remington 700’s, give you more scope clearance. Also they have match grade barrels with a guarantee 1 inch MOA. I dont know the retail price for the Venture, so the $400 might be too high not sure.

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/venture.php

yooper77

JimFromTN · « **Reply #16 on:** December 05, 2009, 07:57:09 AM »

I saw an SPS 308 Varmint with the hinged floorplate on another forum for $425. I wish I had the money.

Casull · « **Reply #17 on:** December 05, 2009, 11:52:45 AM »

Quote

I'd avoid the Vanguard/Howa.

Swampy, then you are missing out on some very good rifles.

Swampman · « **Reply #18 on:** December 05, 2009, 12:02:38 PM »

I've disassembled them & fired them. I wasn't impressed.

Casull · « **Reply #19 on:** December 05, 2009, 12:19:28 PM »

Quote

I've disassembled them & fired them. I wasn't impressed.

Hmmm, hammer forged barrel, forged steel receiver, one piece forged steel bolt, known for accuracy, but you aren't impressed with them. And, yet you are impressed with the 770.

diggler1833 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 06, 2009, 03:24:26 AM »

Swampman doesn't like it if it doesn't say Remington on the side of the receiver. I'm partial to anything that shoots, including my Remingtons. I'll go out on a limb and say that I think that a Stevens 200 is a better deal than a Remington 770, but that is just because you can completely customize that rifle to something else in your own garage later down the road when the fancy strikes you.

Howa makes a decent rifle too, although I'm not a huge fan of the front action screw in the recoil lug, their bolt design with M-16 style (other names for it too) extractor is nice.

yooper77 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 07, 2009, 05:35:57 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on December 05, 2009, 12:02:38 PM

I've disassembled them & fired them. I wasn't impressed.

WOW OK, I see your problem; you need the firearm fully assembled before you fire it.

yooper77

Oldshooter · « **Reply #22 on:** December 07, 2009, 05:41:55 AM »

john keyes · « **Reply #23 on:** December 07, 2009, 08:12:40 AM »

I would definitely look for something else used, that has real wood

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #24 on:** December 07, 2009, 09:15:46 AM »

The whole reason for considering the 770 was to be used as a machete, boat paddle, walking stick, or any other non normal use that may arise. I have owned quality firearms from ruger, winchester, and remington. However, after taking care of them for years and seeing them lost to flooding in one day I am not inclined to spend alot of money on a new gun. I do like the marlin but I would prefer a detachable mag.

charles p · « **Reply #25 on:** December 07, 2009, 10:18:59 AM »

Did the flood wash your rifles away, or were they stolen following the flood, rusted and pitted, or what? Just curious. I live at the coast on a lot that is 2.8 feet above sea level.

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #26 on:** December 07, 2009, 11:16:24 AM »

They sat submerged for about 12 hours after Katrina. I didn't have the time or the means to clean them. The day I returned home most of the lower end guns were comletely ruined. Most of them had a heavy coat of rust with almost no bluing left. The cheaper wood stocks on marlins and etc. were swollen to twice their normal size. My ruger actually faired better than most but it does have a pitted bore. Some of my guns were able to be saved but not many. The salt content in that water was very high.

diggler1833 · « **Reply #27 on:** December 07, 2009, 11:42:50 AM »

That sucks to hear that STUMPJMPR. If you don't mind a drive I'll gladly house your firearms for a few days for you next time you have a storm your way. I'd hate the thought of loosing what I've got.

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #28 on:** December 07, 2009, 12:28:34 PM »

Thanks DIG but from now on my guns go with me. So does anything else I can get out. I don't live on the coast anymore but my parents still do and I still have alot of stuff at their house.