“I’d prefer a Browning myself, but I’m sure a 770 would get the job done.”
The last rifle I bought was a stainless x-bolt in 325 WSM. It’s a great, lightweight rifle that handles 200gr bullets with ease. That was around four years ago when I got it, and it came in under $1,000. Not long after Remington changed ownership and retooled, I bought one of the basic 700s in stainless. I think they call them the all weather or something like that. With a 10 percent discount, it came in under $500. I put it in a B&C metalist stock, and it is a tack driver. It went to my oldest son. Somewhere between those two rifles I bought a stainless Ruger 77, the basic cheap one, and it came in under $600. All of these were at my local Walmart, the closest dealer to me. ...I don’t criticize other people’s choices in guns. Everyone has different tastes. I’ve seen cheap rifles that shoot moa without any help at all. If someone has their heart set on a 770, go for it. For my taste, I would look at something that could be rebarreled and restocked, down the road. ...A cheap rifle can be great, but it will most likely need a good scope. I’ve grown fond of the Sightrons, but a 770 topped off with a good Bushnell Elite 4200 3X9 could possibly make a dandy low priced rig.
Check Walmart pricing.
I don’t hunt anymore, and I sold my Ruger in 7x57 a couple of years ago. I have some handguns, but my last rifle is a Marlin in 44 mag. I use it for plinking.
I’ve lusted after the Brownings, but never owned one. Still, there is a great deal to be said for buy well & buy for life. My shotgun is a Browning I’ve owned for 30+ years, and I’ve got a couple of revolvers that old as well. I expect to use them for another 20-30 years, and be able to hand them down to my kids (or grandkids).