Remington 770

Howland937 · Apr 6, 2020

My dad for some reason he can't fully explain, recently purchased a Remington 770 in .308. A local guy one of his friends knows could order them brand new for like $268 after tax, so I think the fact it was dirt cheap is the actual explanation. He hadn't handled one but always liked Remington bolt guns. Tried to tell him it ain't the same as his old BDLs, ADLs ,or even 788. Came with a cheap scope (actually the scope was the better than the rifle deserved) factory bore sighted. 1st round of factory Rem Cor-Lokt and the bolt stuck hard. Had to smack the bolt with a wooden mallet to get it open. Case had a large gouge about 3/8" long from the rim parallel with the case. Chamber shows a pretty substantial burr at about 5:30. Fresh round chambers fine and extracts fine with no marks, but no reason to shoot it and stick the bolt again. Anyone seen this out of the box? Is it even worth contacting Remington? Shoulda got pics but didn't think about it at the time. Sorry...please move this post to the appropriate location.

LoonWulf · Apr 6, 2020

Friend had a similar issue. I polished the burrs till they didn't gouge the case, but that was the best I could do short of pulling the barrel having it set back, and re chambering.

He didn't want to send it to Remington, but that's what I would have done.

Roamin_Wade · Apr 6, 2020

Usually firearm companies are more than happy to check out a problem. Firearms used to be hand fit but everything is machined on a CNC lathe or mill these days. It wouldn’t be hard to believe there is a problem so just call Remington and they will provide you with shipping label and instructions.

skeeterfogger · Apr 6, 2020

Yeah, you can get a bum of some kind in any of them now a days. I bought a 770 3006 because it was on sale. Immediately took it to the range to give it an opportunity to show issues. Only issue was the scope. Of course I never expected them to put a top notch scope on a combo sale so no biggie. That was near 10 years ago best I remember. Taken deer with it out to 350 yards so can't complain.

herrwalther · Apr 6, 2020

My 770 had such a poorly machined chamber, it took hitting the bolt handle with a block of wood to get it to lock and unlock sometimes. Take it to a gunsmith if you want to smooth it out, keeping in mind the smith hourly rate might cost more than the rifle. Otherwise sell it at a loss and get something better.

mgmorden · Apr 7, 2020

LoonWulf said:
Friend had a similar issue. I polished the burrs till they didn't gouge the case, but that was the best I could do short of pulling the barrel having it set back, and re chambering.

Not really an option on the 770's. The barrels are press fit into the receiver rather than threaded, and the locking lug recesses are machined into the barrel itself (vaguely similar to an AR). Even if you pulled the barrel, threaded it, and then threaded the receiver, setting it back would take the recesses out of alignment with the bolt lugs.

The 770 truly was a bad design. My dad bought one recently too - someone had it for cheap and he's an avid hunter but not much of a "gun guy", so he bought it not knowing any better. His seems to shoot fine but it's a puzzle why he bought it when he already had a very nice hunting rifle (Ruger M77 Mk2).

rdnktrkr · Apr 7, 2020

I purchased one a few yrs back for $200, plus tax and gun show fee, to have a plastic stock gun to hunt with, it is decent enough for that, it was my first plastic centerfire rifle, I've not had any problems with mine and it shot about 1" high and left from the factory. I also have a very good rifle in my safe, 700bdl cd, but the nice stock and good finish made me not want to hunt with it.

Howland937 · Apr 7, 2020

I guess I wasn't shocked it had issues as much as he was. I know he bought it because of the price since he didn't need a 4th or 5th .308. I told him it's most likely press fit and not threaded. May just try a fine chainsaw file and see if I can clean it up since it only sticks on fired brass.

CptnAwesome · Apr 8, 2020

Yeah between the years 2014 and 2015 I purchased 2 Remington model 700's a BDM and a BDL) and they both did that exact same thing. The chambers were terrible and filled with brass shavings. I was able to polish them out for the most part but I didn't keep either long afterwards and haven't bought anther one since.

Remington 770

Howland937

Member

LoonWulf

Member

Roamin_Wade

member

skeeterfogger

member

herrwalther

Member

mgmorden

Member

rdnktrkr

Member

Howland937

Member

CptnAwesome

Member

Similar threads