[taxcontrol]

So what say you? Do any Freepers out there have experience with the 770? Any gotchas, recommendations, cautions, likes or dislikes?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

770 is junk.

Get a 700.

Or a Savage. They are tack-drivers.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-296715.html

[From The Deer Stand]

Ruger Model 77 .308 — one shot and they’re done!

[Big_Harry]

On one of our elk hunts, my brother dropped a big 5x5 with a Savage 110 in 300 Win. Mag. While that is not one of my favorite cartridges (I prefer the .338 Win case), you can buy over the counter ammo anywhere, and it has the knock down for some of the other big game you are likely to run across in the elk country. (I built a .375-338 just for those hunts):)

[tpmintx]

Agree on 700. I bought base model ADL Varmint rig (combo with scope) in .308 at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Package price about $450. First trip out with factory ammo printed a 2 inch group at 100 yards on first 5 shots. (Way high and left, but that is scope) Within 3 groups, I had it printing 1.5 inches in center of target. I think that at least 3/4” of the grouping is my own skill level (lack), and this thing is really shooting exactly where I point it.

Now I need to find a longer range, and wait for weather to cool down a bit. It also needs a better scope than the packaged scope. That only takes money...

The varmint setup is a fair amount heavier, but it keeps the groups tight due to the longer, heavy barrel.

I think the 700, even without the fancy polishing that you get on the higher priced levels, is a very nice setup.

[StarfireIV]

The Rem 700 is the small block Chevy of rifles. Yes, there are better, usually more expensive actions out there, but in terms of bang for the buck, the 700 is adaptable, and repairable. It is also use, maintenence, and repair friendly.
About the only beef I have with the manufacturer is the dinky bolt handle which is more suited for iron sights than a scope. But here again, Badger Ordnance makes an oversize bolt handle that corrects this problem. This also proves another point, just like the afore mentioned V8, there are thousands of add-ons, accessories, and mods available for it.

[BobinIL]

Don’t walk, run from any Remington product. Their QC has been in the toilet lately.

Look at the Thompson Venture, Weatherby Vanguard or Tikka T3. I know Savage has a reputation for accuracy but I personally don’t like them.

[chuckles]

Let me holler a little to get your attention....

DO NOT BUY A REMINGTON!!!!!

The have accidental discharge problems. It proven, It's true, it's not urban legend. People have died!

Ruger would be my choice unless I wanted to spend more money, then it would be Weatherby. I have a Ruger in 30.06 and it works fine. I have a Browning A bolt 7 Mag and am pleased with it.

Ruger works hard for safety and Remington has spent 60 years covering it up. No Remington's for me.

[PowderMonkey]

The 770s I've handled were in a word, “rough.” Very rough. The actions would bind up, materials and overall appearance left much to be desired. They do, however, fulfill their function, and have a strong market following among the Walmart set who can't afford a $1,000 rig. Bottom line: it'll put venison on the table. I would prefer though to save my pennies for something better. To that end, the Weatherby product would be more to my liking.

[Mr Rogers]

Most brand name bolt actions are plenty accurate enough to kill elk & deer. Most misses are due to the shooter, not the rifle.

I’m pretty sure there is a verse in the Bible that says guns with plastic stocks were designed by communists for communists, but if you ignore the religious aspect, they work well.

If you don’t have a lot of cash, buy one of the cheaper rifles in 270 or 30-06, buy some reloading equipment, and go shoot a lot. You will be far better prepared to kill an elk than someone who has a superb gun he shoots 10 times a year...

[pallis]

I’ll second those advising you to get a Savage. I haven’t priced rifles in a few years, but unless you are going stainless with better quality stocks, there are a number of good rifles out there that come under a thousand dollars. You should be able to find a 700, or a Ruger M77, any number of Savage or Howa rifles. I bet you could find one of the stainless 700s for well under a thousand dollars. Why go with what amounts to a throwaway rifle? Get something you can build on.

[Joe Boucher]

.308 is a very NICE bullet.
Slams real hard.

[USMCPOP]

Look around for deals. About 2 years ago, I sold an unfired, new-in-box Browning A-bolt Hunter 30-06 with a cheap scope (Leupold rings) for $650.

[ebshumidors]

Get a Mosin-Nagant and watch ‘Enemy at the Gates’. @ $100. Then learn to shoot. You can get Russian ammo that says ‘For hunting big animals’. 210 grains or so.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Another vote for the Savage, with the accutrigger and accustock!

Remington seems to attach a 12 pound lawyer to the trigger.

[antiRepublicrat]

I’ve heard lots of good about Howa. You get pretty much the same metal as a Weatherby since they supply it for the IIRC Vanguard series, but without the ultra-expensive stocks and the extra cash you pay for the Weatherby name. Combos in those calibers can be had in the $700 range.

If you don’t mind single-shot, you can get an H&R for under $400, and they’re pretty accurate and reliable.

Then of course don’t forget to hit the gun shows or used gun shops. You can shave a few hundred off the price of a good bolt-action.

[Lando Lincoln]

I have a Savage 110 in .30-06 while each of my sons have Savage 111’s in 7mm-08. All with AccuTriggers. Accuracy is phenomenal. I can’t tell you how much I like that 7mm-08 round. My Dad has hunted with that round in a Browning BLR for years and it is simply a game getter. It just seems the critters are “dead before they hit the ground” with that round more than any other in my experience. Probably too light for elk, tho and unless you load your own, costlier than the .308.

Anyway, I picked up a never fired Ruger M77 in .25-06 last year at auction. I am very impressed with its action. Very robust and clean. You can still get great deals in the used and auction markets if you are patient. Well within your price point.

Don’t Forget...!.. If you consider Savage... gotta get the AccuTrigger!

Good Luck!

[MileHi]

Savage minus the cheap (combo) scope if you can’t afford the Rem 700. Get a decent scope.

[BobinIL]

My last plug for the TC Venture. Made in the USA, MOA accuracy guarantee under $500.00 What more can you ask for?

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

[mad_as_he$$]

The only Remington bolt action I have ever owned was a 700 in 30-06. Cut it into three pieces and chucked it into a lake. It AD’d on me and I wouldn't trust it again or sell it to anyone else. Many years later the problem was finally litigated into the light. Remington should be ashamed for covering up the problem and not putting in the $0.50 fix. I will never own another. Get a Savage, Ruger or even a Weatherby which you can find outstanding deals on at gun shows.